Ruth Joan Fuenfhausen

Ruth Joan Fuenfhausen, 89, of Columbia passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025. A Graveside Service will be Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Noon in Memorial Park Cemetery. There will be an hour of visitation prior to the service in Memorial Funeral Home.

Ruth was born on April 24, 1935, in Howard County the daughter of Bernard Stockhorst and Rosella (Struttman) Stockhorst. On May 2, 1955, she was united in marriage to Fred Fuenfhausen who preceded her in passing in 2016. The new family lived in Salisbury, MO until Fred took a job with the Safeway Grocery in Moberly. The family moved with Fred’s career, to Marshall, Lexington, Jefferson City and finally to the Columbia-Hallsville area.

Ruth enjoyed daylilies, quilting, embroidery and counted cross stitch. She was especially loved by her grandchildren, and she treasured each and everyone. She was a loving and giving mother and grandmother. She stayed at home to raise her family, grow a beautiful garden and can the vegetables that she harvested. When the family moved to Columbia, in September of 1970 she became one of the first 16 people to be hired on at the new 3M Plant. She worked there until she retired on December 31, 1996.

Ruth is survived by her children: Carol Gasperson (Mike), of Columbia; Carl Fuenfhausen (Kim), of Mexico; William Fuenfhausen (Holly), of Columbia; Cathy Walz, of Columbia, and Christie Fuenfhausen, of Columbia; seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and all eight of her siblings.