Ruth, Anna B. Hirstein (1883-1946)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Oct 31 p. 7

Birth date: 1883 Dec 16

text of obituary:

MRS. G. W. RUTH

Mrs. Anna B. Ruth, wife of Gustav W. Ruth, was born near Troy in Madison county, Illinois, on December 16, 1883. She was the daughter of the late John and Katherine Hirstein. In order that they might be located nearer their church, the family moved on a farm near Summerfield, Ill., in 1896. Her mother passed away on January 24, 1940, and her father on December 27, 1943.

Several weeks ago her health began to fail and the physicians advised an operation. On Friday, October 11, she was taken to St. Joseph's hospital at Highland, Ill., where she underwent a serious major operation last Wednesday, October 16. Everything that medical skill could do was applied, but to no avail, for on Sunday morning at 5:30, October 20, 1946, she passed away to be with the Lord. She attained the age of 62 years, 10 months, and four days.

On September 26, 1896, she professed her faith in Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized by Rev. C. H. van der Smissen. She always took a deep interest in the progress and welfare of the church. She was a member of the women's missionary society, in which she held different offices and served on various committees.

On January 16, 1907, she was united in marriage with Gustav G. Ruth by Rev. C. H. van der Smissen. They made their home on a farm near Summerfield and followed the occupation of farming until 1942, when they moved to Summerfield. She was a member of the St. Clair County Home Bureau and strived to make home life beautiful and enjoyable. For almost 40 years she was permitted to share life's joys and sorrows with her husband and family. This union was blessed with four children, three sons and one daughter.

Her son, Melvin, preceded her to the Great Beyond on February 25, 1944. She was always very much concerned in the care of the children he left behind. She was also preceded in death by three sisters, Selma, Emma and Clara; two brothers, John and Daniel; and one grandchild.

She leaves to mourn her departure her deeply bereaved husband; two sons, LeRoy of Summerfield, Ralph of Tulsa, Okla., and one daughter, Mrs. Lucille Fiedler, wife of Floyd Fiedler of Freeburg, Ill.; nine grandchildren and three daughters-in-law. She is also survived by two brothers, Samuel of Belleville and Edward of Golconda, Ill., three sisters-in-law, many nephews and nieces and other relatives and friends.

Funeral sesrvices were held on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 23, at two o'clock at the First Mennonite church of Summerfield with Rev. Elmer Basinger, the pastor, in charge assisted by Rev. A. S. Bechtel. Interment was made in the Mennonite part of the Summerfield cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1946 Nov 5 p. 6