Ruth Rose Koenig

Ruth Gugel was born at home in the parsonage of Peace Lutheran Church in Sandusky, Michigan where her father was Pastor. Her mother cared for 5 children.

After graduating from Minden City High School, Michigan, Ruth joined the Cadet Nurses Corp, training at Harper Hospital in Detroit. She met Don “Dutch” Koenig while she was in Fort Wayne, Indiana, helping her brother with his young family after his wife died. Don had just graduated from seminary and the two met sharing a ride on the train going to a Lutheran church retreat.

Don and Ruth married March 31, 1951, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. After beginning her nursing career in Fort Wayne, Ruth took a 21-year break to raise 5 sons and 1 daughter. She then worked at Mercy Hospital in San Diego and Mammoth Lakes Hospital, retiring once at 70. She was then called back after 4 months and worked until her final retirement in July 1999.

Don and Ruth loved the families yearly camping trips to the Sierras with the 6 kids. Having family over to the house and cooking a big meal was always a special time for her.

Ruth and Don moved to Washington in August 1999 to be near daughter Linda, son David and their families. She was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church, Monroe.

Her husband Don and son Robert preceded her death. Ruth dedicated her life to her family, friends, and faith.

She is survived by her children David (Heather), Philip (Deborah), Linda (Joe), Mark (Sue) and Dan (Kim), along with her sisters, Edna Frillmann and Doris Grothaus. Ruth had 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren whom she loved very much and enjoyed their visits. Ruth was a blessing to her family and to all those who knew her.

A memorial service for Ruth will be held Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 1:00 PM at Peace Lutheran Church, 202 Dickinson Rd, Monore, WA 98272.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-FH.com for the Koenig family.