Ruth Odessa Holland

Ruth grew up in Detroit, Michigan, a proud graduate of Cass Tech High School.  She married Joseph B. Holland on February 6, 1947 in Hickman, Kentucky.  As their family grew they moved to Detroit, and then to Warren where she completed a BFA in English and a Masters of Education from Wayne State University.  Ruth taught at Elizabeth Little Elementary School in Warren, Michigan for 25 years. 

After Ruth retired, she worked in a bookstore to satisfy her love of reading.  Ruth took up quilting in her 40’s when her eldest son was serving in the Navy.  It became a lifelong passion and source of beautiful artistic expression. It helped sustain her during her fight with breast cancer, and she hand-sewed over 500 quilts, finding great joy in gifting them to family, friends and charitable organizations alike. She always made time for a daily crossword puzzle, never missed an episode of Jeopardy, and loved following the Detroit Tigers and Lions.  Ruth was a loving wife and Mother who will be missed by many for her wit, determination, resilience and creativity.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, daughter, Virginia, and brother-in-law Colonel David Holland.  She is survived by her sister, Genevieve (Chuck) Bugay; Sister-in-Law Claire Mabry Holland;  children David (Ruth) Holland, Terry (Diane) Holland, James Holland, Jean Holland, and son-in-law Dan (Gerri) Urra; grandchildren Jennifer (Andy) Tulleners, Sarah (Jake) Westrich, Matt (Jessica) Holland, Elizabeth (Brendan) Cardaci, Vera (Jay) Diederich, Karl (Kerry) Holland, Josh (Nicki) Urra, Katie Urra, Margot (Josh) Hisle, Zach Spohr, Rachel Spohr and 7 great-grandchildren: Holland Hisle, Jason Stoker and Abigail Cardaci, Alice and Lillian Westrich, Arlo and Leo Holland.

Visitation for Ruth will be held Saturday, April 24th at the Strong Funeral Home, 903 Broadway Street, Hickman, Kentucky 42050. The family welcomes guests from 12:00 pm until time of the Funeral Service at 2:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Hickman Cemetery where she will join her beloved Joseph.

Local arrangements were entrusted to the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home in Warren, Michigan.

Please share memories of Ruth at her guest book below.