Martha Jean Ruegg, age 90, passed away at Avamere at Sandy on April 24, 2021. Martha was born May 8, 1930 at Wilcox Memorial Hospital in Portland, Oregon to Jacob Luscher Jr. and Elizabeth Jane (McKeown). Martha was a life-long local. She started her life living in Fairview, Oregon where her father worked for her Grandpa Jacob Luscher Sr.’s Fairview Holstein Farm. Around 1931 the family moved to Odell, Oregon where her father managed orchards for Elizabeth’s brother Archie McKeown. Sister Elise “Lee” was born during this time in Hood River in 1931. Around 1932 the family moved to a farm on Rockwood Road in Portland, Oregon where Martha and sister Lee attended Lynch Grade School and Gresham High School.
Martha married Charles “Chuck” Leroy Ruegg on July 9, 1948 at the Gresham Methodist Church that stood at the corner of Roberts and Powell. They were married 58 years. They lived in apartments in Portland and Troutdale before moving to the Wildcat Creek area of “The Mountain” in May of 1950 where they raised their four children. During the Wildcat Creek years Martha was a consummate volunteer, Welches Grade School PTA Treasurer, leader of both Girl Scout and 4-H organizations, served on the Clackamas County Board local voter precinct, and on the staff of the local ”Hoodland News” paper. Also during this time Martha was a member of a bowling League and enjoyed creative hobbies which included enamelware, tin etching, and sewing.
In 1968 the family moved to their home on Compton Road in Boring, Oregon. In these later years Martha studied at Mt. Hood Community College and her hobbies became calligraphy, crocheting, and knitting. Martha was also involved in Gresham High School reunion planning which both she and Chuck participated in. Around 1973 Martha and Chuck started enjoying annual vacations with Chuck’s three brothers, sister, and their spouses. They took turns hosting the trips which included travels to most of the Western States.
In 1960 Martha started working two days a week for Dr. H R Rasmussen in Gresham, Oregon and eventually was working full-time until he retired in 1971. That was the start of her medical field career path. Subsequently to that she worked for many private practice doctors and ultimately worked in group practices until she retired at age 78. Martha loved the doctors and the staff members she worked with through the years.
From 2009 to 2015 Martha was a Gresham Historical Society volunteer. She made many friends and enjoyed her time working with other volunteers and staff. During her time there she gathered documents of Ruegg/Sleret and Luscher/McKeown family histories to share with her children, providing invaluable family genealogy information.
Martha lived in her Compton Road home for 51 years. In March of 2019 she moved to the Avamere at Sandy Assisted Living facility.
Martha is survived by sister Lee Coiteux of Gresham, daughters Christine Rudy (Steve) of Candy, Jennifer Ackers of Clackamas, sons Nick Ruegg (Debbie) of Prineville, Mark Ruegg (Margene) of Sumpter, 12 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by husband Chuck Ruegg and son-in-law Stephen Ackers.
In lieu of flowers donations may be given to SnowCap Community Charities.
Public viewing will be on Sunday, May 2nd from 12 – 1 pm at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home.
A private funeral service will be held at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home. The services will be live streamed on YouTube and the video link for this is https://youtu.be/tQWk7dH-9Tc.
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