in La Porte, Indiana to Arthur P. Johnstone and Lydia H. Johnstone (nee Werremeyer), the youngest of two children. She graduated from
La Porte High School in 1945, and from Bethesda School of Nursing, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1948.
After graduating from Bethesda School of Nursing, she worked as an RN in several VA hospitals, including Asheville, North Carolina, and Ann Arbor, Michigan. She then worked as an Industrial Nurse at Allis Chalmers in her hometown, and finally as a beloved obstetrical nurse, long before cell phones. She delivered many babies on her own at the now gone Fairview/Community Hospital in La Porte, Indiana.
She was married to Robert J. Dreske on June 2, 1951 in La Porte, where they built their first home, and raised two children, before relocating to Hamilton, Ohio in 1964. They raised their children and lived in their Fairfield Township home until her husband passed away August 2, 2018.
Ruth and Bob loved to travel with their children and later together to wonderful destinations in Europe and all over the United States. They later included their beloved grands in their travels to Niagara Falls, and a tour of the Great Lakes.
Ruth loved every member of her family with her whole heart. Robert's younger siblings were incredibly special to her, and she doted on them while he was overseas with the U.S. Army. Each cousin, niece, nephew, and their children, loved Ruthie/Aunt Ruth. Almost all of her friends have passed on, but for her two very best friends, Renee Buchanan, of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Patricia Bruce, of Portland, Oregon. She loved them all with an equal passion. Everyone who met her, loved her dearly. She was totally devoted to her husband Bob, as he was to her, sharing 67 years together, living a beautiful Christian life, devoted to serving God, country and family.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, James P. Johnstone, Denver, CO. She is survived by her daughter Marilyn (Peter) Tunnat, Hamilton; her son Robert J. (Debbie) Dreske, Jr., Oxford. Four grandchildren: Alexander O'Keefe, Cincinnati; Carolyn (Jacob) Bulach, Camden; Robert J. (Kara) Dreske, III, Oxford; Spencer Dreske, Oxford. Two Great-grandchildren: Gavin Bulach and Ava Dreske; and beloved brother-in-law Jerry (Cheryl) Mrozinski, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; sister-in-law Patricia (Jerry) Kauflin, Troy, Ohio, sister-in-law Judy (William-deceased) Mrozinski, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She served her church, Lindenwald Methodist, through the Alpha Circle, and the Alter Guild. She lead the way for many to follow a Christian life through her gentle heart, and quiet strength. She was a lifetime member of the Bethesda Alumni Association, and one of the last living members of a health study conducted with her Bethesda graduating class through Harvard University.
She will be laid to rest at Rose Hill Burial Park, 2565 Princeton Rd, Hamilton, Ohio, 45011 on Thursday, June 23, 2022.
Visitation will be at Rose Hill Funeral Home, Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral service following at 11:00 a.m., conducted by Rev. Edwin Beck.
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