Ruth Schrumpf

Ruth Elizabeth Schrumpf of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, bowler, baker, and traveler died peacefully at 8:42 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center, Saint Joseph, Michigan having attained the remarkable age of 102 years old.  Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of The Chalet of Niles.

She was born on July 25, 1918 near Three Lakes, Washington in a logging camp where her parents, George and Marie (Geigling) Kiemle ran the camp kitchen.  She was graduated from Everett (Washington) High School, and joined her family’s restaurant, the Delt Lunch Restaurant, serving all of the loggers and railroaders.  In 1941 she came to Niles and was first employed as a stenographer before spending time at home to raise her family.  In the 60’s she returned to the workforce and was employed in the bookbindery of the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company through the 1970s.

Ruth was a member of Saint John’s United Church of Christ in Niles.  She bowled on the Simplicity Pattern league, recorded a perfect 300 game at the former AA Timber Lanes in Niles, and continued to bowl competitively past the age of 60 years.  At home, she continued the baking skills that she had learned at the Delt – where she was the pie baker – using a large library of cookbooks and recipe cards, and was well known for her special sugar cookies, coffee crisps, and gingersnaps.  She and her husband visited most of the western and central United States pulling their fifth-wheel trailer.  More recently they spent winters in more permanent housing at Siesta Bay in Fort Myers, Florida.

On August 9, 1941 in Niles she married Walter Marohn George Schrumpf with whom she celebrated the remarkable Sixty-fourth anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on July 21, 2006.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, and by her sisters, Louise McDougall and Marguerite O’Denius.

Surviving family includes her children, Robert D. (& Shelby) Schrumpf of Hutchinson Island, Florida and Tina M. (& Michael D.) McBride; grandchildren Shanna M. (& Andrew) Guetler and Colleen E. (& Jon) Monti; great-grandchildren Mackenna and Delaney; and nephews Michael and Patrick O’Denius.

The family of Ruth Schrumpf will gather privately at her graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles for Committal Services.  Contributions in memory of Ruth may be made to Saint John’s United Church of Christ, 601 Sycamore Street, Niles, Michigan, 49120.

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Ruth was active through most of her one-hundred-plus years, whether in the kitchen or at the bookbindery, at the bowling alley or at church, or on the highway with Walt.  And her activity always included sharing good times with others, even her triple-digit birthday parties at The Chalet, all evidence of loving people and loving God.