With profound sadness, I’m sharing the news that Ruth Elaine Waters passed away on November 21, 2024. Her funeral service was in Fenton, MI, on December 6th. She was born in Saginaw, MI, on 2-15-30. Yes, you’ve read that correctly. Ruth was a few short months from her 95th birthday!
I met Ruth when we first moved here five years ago. We stood next to each other for years in Chair Aerobics. I sensed that she was a little older but it was hard to tell since she kept up with the class, never groaning or breaking a sweat! I often saw her walking by our house and it wasn’t until we picked her up for the Midwest Club’s luncheon at The Mission Inn that I realized how far her walks took her each day! Ruth hosted many parties, along with her close friend, Janet Nestel who has moved to a senior living facility in Orlando. Ruth and Janet were always the first to raise their hands to host or help the Midwest Club in any way they could. When I took over as the club’s president Ruth never failed to call me after every luncheon offering praise to build my confidence. I will miss her friendship very much. Our club benefits greatly from having so many kind retired nurses as members!
Ruth lived a very full and active life up until the end. She worked as a registered nurse until she and her husband, Lyall, moved to Clermont and Kings Ridge 24 years ago, he passed away in 2017. They were blessed with five children, a large number of grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild!
Here is the full text from her obituary: WATERS, Ruth Elaine – Age 94, of Fenton, formerly of Clermont, FL, passed away on November 21, 2024. A memorial service will be held at 11AM Friday, December 6, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1025 Main St., Fenton. Pastor Peter Ahlersmeyer officiating. Those desiring may make contributions to Trinity Lutheran Church.Ruth was born February 15, 1930 in Saginaw, MI the daughter of Dr. Cecil W. and Bertha F (Ranke) Ely.
She attended Valparaiso University and went on to become a Registered Nurse, working at St. Joseph Hospital until her retirement. Following retirement, she and her husband Lyall moved to Clermont, FL where they lived for 24 years. She was an active member of Woodlands Lutheran Church in Florida and had recently transferred to Trinity Lutheran Church since moving to Fenton. Ruth lived a very full and active life. She loved spending time with her family and friends, traveling the country and especially loved going on cruises.
She is survived by her children, Cynthia (Robert) Ezell, Catherine (Jim) Graves, Karen (Peter) Jarrad, and Jeffrey Waters; grandchildren, Ann Hall, Elizabeth (Gary) Minarich, Dr. Allison (Garret) Davies, Kelly Graves, Natale Patterson, Marybeth Jarrad, Anne (Ryan Thomas) Jarrad, Dale Jonathan (Dr. Ashleigh) Jarrad, Cecilee Jarrad, Richard (Tina) Waters and Savanna (Ian) Docherty; great grandchildren, Ashley, Tyler, Chase, Caden, Lucas, Alexander, Lucy, Jesse, Charles, Stuart, Emily, Holly, Jack, Emmerson, Tatum, Harper, William, Brooke and Matthew and great-great grandchild, Jaxon. She is also survived by siblings, Charles (Alice) Ely, Yvonne (Stan) Arbeit and Betty Ann Ely. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lyall Waters (2017); son, Curt Waters (2015) and brother, Dr. Cecil W Ely Jr. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com
Leave a Reply