Ruth Lisso Massey

Ruth Lisso Massey, member of a Central and West Texas farming and ranching family, died October 15, 2009. She was born June 19, 1910 to Carl and Gertrude Kaufer Lisso on the farm established by her grandparents, Henry and Hermina Wieland Lisso, in 1867. Ruth co-managed the farm for over thirty years after her father's death in 1971. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of fifty seven years, Jack in 1992, her father and mother, her grandparents, all other members of her generation of the Henry and Carl Lisso families, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Waul and Annie Griffin Massey, nephews Paul and B.L. "Tuff" Knebel and Finley Lisso. She is survived by her son Jack Massey, Jr., nieces Florine Ruth and husband Dr. David Jameson, Norma Hutchinson, Lanelle Knebel and Elaine Knebel. Ruth graduated from Pflugerville High in 1928 and enrolled at Southwest Texas State Teacher's College. She started her teaching career, as did many of her contemporaries, before completing her degree. She began at Sprinkle and completed a forty-four year career at Summitt in 1975 with Teck and Fiskville in between. Ruth completed her degree in 1942 and received her Master's in 1952. Following retirement, Ruth joined the Austin Retired Teachers Association (ARTA) and served on the Telephone Committee for several years. Other retirement activities included garage sales, gardening, and remodeling and restoring houses. Special thanks to the staff of the Pflugerville Care Center for their loving care of Ruth during the last five years. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20th at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pflugerville with interment in the Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. If desired, memorials to ARTA Foundation, c/o Mrs. Linda Harvey, 5602 Westminster Dr, Austin, TX 78723-2619 or Immanuel Lutheran Church Building Fund, 500 Immanuel Blvd, Pflugerville, TX 78660.