Ruth Heumann

RUTH HEUMANN passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025. A thoughtful and generous woman of radiant beauty, strength, and grace, she lived over a full century as a force of nature unyielding, loving, and unforgettable. Her mind remained as vibrant as her spirit; gentle, inquisitive, sharp and resilient. Whether sharing a thoughtful observation, recalling cherished memories with perfect detail, or simply just listening, she inspired those around her with her remarkable clarity and wisdom.

Ruth ‘Omi’ (née Presser) shared 60 wonderful years with the love of her life, the late Werner ‘Opi’ Heumann. She was a devoted mother to Miriam Kaufman, and the late Judy Heumann; special mother-in-law to Ira Kaufman and the late Sherwin Holtzberg, loving grandmother to Laura (Daryl) Strayer, Karen Holtzberg, Deborah Decker and David (Linda) Holtzberg; and a cherished great grandmother to Justin and Matthew (Katie) Strayer, Sophia and Ella Decker, Keya and Knox Holtzberg.

Ruth was born in Berlin, Germany. In the mid-1930s, before the outbreak of World War II, her late parents, Alice and Oscar Presser, along with her sister Lilly, moved to what was then Palestine. It was there that Ruth met, fell in love with, and married Werner Heumann. Together they had two daughters, Miriam and Judy, both born in what became Israel. As conflict in the region intensified, the family immigrated to America, where Werner had relatives. After several apartment moves, they eventually purchased a home in Evanston, Illinois, where Ruth’s parents joined them, having also made the journey to be closer to their loved ones.

When their daughter Judy married and moved to South Bend, Indiana, Ruth and Werner, then retired, chose to follow and settle there as well. It was close enough to the Chicago area for family and friends to visit often, and close enough for Ruth and Werner to return regularly. After Werner’s passing in 1998, Ruth gradually found comfort and companionship among a circle of fellow widows. She missed her husband dearly and spoke of him all the time. Still, she continued to fill her life with friendship, community, and, most of all, the love of her family, especially her grandchildren.

Ruth embraced new friendships and rediscovered the joy of dining out and being social, a meaningful shift after decades devoted to homemaking. She had a true love for cooking and baking, and her recipes, always crafted with creativity, have been lovingly carried on by her family. Ruth’s mind remained as sharp as ever, even in her final years. She loved reading and staying current with world news, politics, and even all the latest in pop culture.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to all of Ruth’s friends, neighbors, aides, and caretakers, whose kindness and companionship brought her comfort, brightened her days, eased her journey, and reminded her that she was deeply loved and cared for in her later years.

In accordance with the families’ wishes, a private graveside service was held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her memory to the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley https://thejewishfed.org/ or the Hebrew Orthodox Congregation https://www.hocsouthbend.com/

A recording of the service can be found at: https://www.asimplestreaming.com/rheumann/