Goering, Ruth Arlene (1908-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Apr 8 p. 9

Birth date: 1908 Apr 10

text of obituary:

RUTH ARLENE GOERING

Ruth Arlene Goering, daughter of Jacob A. and Annie (Kaufman) Goering, was born on April 10, 1908, in McPherson county, Kansas. She departed from this life on Sunday, March 14.

In early infancy she was stricken with infantile paralysis. Due to lack of medical knowledge at that time, her illness was not correctly diagnosed until about the age of two. The results of her sickness left her in such a condition that she could not lead a normal life

In spite of her physical handicaps, she graduated from grade school, attended Bethel Academy two years, and graduated from McPherson high school. On June 14, 1925, Ruth was baptized upon her confession of faith by Rev. C J. Goering and became a member of the Eden Mennonite church. She remained a faithful member until her death.

Throughout all these years, even though her life’s activities were limited, she never complained but kept her cheerful disposition and often was a source of comfort and encouragement to others. She had a large circle of friends and well wishers. Ruth’s lot in life was not easy, but through God’s grace and her submissive spirit and devotion, she learned to make the best of each situation. Her attitude toward life is best illustrated by a part of a letter recently sent to a shut-in friend. She wrote:

“I have learned to appreciate my favorite Scripture verse more which is Romans 8:28. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.' As time goes on and my years go by, this verse seems more real to me. No misfortune is so dreadful that God cannot turn it to our good. When God turns all things to our good, he is not merely considering our well-being and our comforts, but He has in mind the salvation of our souls. Therefore, He takes from us at times that which we want most, because He sees that we are beginning to love something more than we love Him. At first I thought it was impossible that my church going should be taken away from me, but now I can see that it too can be for the good.

“Surely God is with us in days of illness. He is ever seeking for our good. Even though we cannot understand His ways and think He has forgotten us, nevertheless we shall learn in the end to praise Him because His thoughts were thoughts of mercy and of goodness towards us all. As we pass through the trials of life, let us hold fast the promise of God that all things work together for good to them that love Him. Then we shall be hopeful and confident and cheerful."

She became ill suddenly at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 13, and taken to the Mercy hospital, where she passed away the next morning at 10:00. The departed attained the age of 45 years, 11 months and four days.

She leaves to mourn her mother, Mrs. Jacob A. Goering; two sisters. Hulda of the home, Leona, Mrs. Clarence Schrag: one brother Ed. A.; one sister-in-law, one brother-in-law, five nieces, one nephew, and a host of friends, relatives and acquaintances who grieve her sudden departure.

Among her recent best loved poem was the following:

LIFE

My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.
Not till the loom is silent, and the shuttles cease to fly.
Shall God unroll the canvas, and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful in the Weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.