2020, at her place of residence, Stoneridge Retirement Center at Poplar Run,
Myerstown, Pa.
Due to COVID-19, a short viewing and meaningful service was held at Rohland Funeral
Home in Lebanon, Pa, for a few family members on Tuesday, April 7. Other close family
joined via FaceTime. Interment was completed on Wednesday, April 8, at Forest Hills
Cemetery, Huntingdon Valley, Pa under the direction of Lamb Funeral Home,
Huntingdon Valley Pa.
Our Mother and Grandmother, Ruth, loved her family, of that we can be certain. Her life,
through and through, was a remarkable testament of unconditional and selfless love.
This was evident in her willingness to serve her family in every way imaginable. She
served with great joy in every way, from babysitting to washing windows, organizing
closets, to packing up family homes, hosting and cooking for others just to serve them.
Ruth loved her home. She kept it immaculate, and she loved to decorate it with blue and
mauve. A wreath, crafted by her, was always on the front door to welcome anyone who
came. Geraniums, her favorite flower, would be found adorning the front yard with red
blooms. If you visited her home for any reason, whether you were a friend or repairman,
she would ask if you needed a drink or something to eat. Regardless of your answer, a
plate of danish or goodies would be out in the kitchen in case you changed your mind.
No matter who you were, you mattered to Ruth, and she made sure that you felt it. She
was a hugger, and you received one when you came and when you went.
She was a hard worker whether she was at her home or church. Counted cross
stitchjng, decorating, cooking, crafting of all sorts kept her busy (all things that she
lovingly taught and passed on to her grandchildren!).
Ruth’s profound selflessness and love for others came from her relationship with the
Lord. Nothing was more important to her. Every morning, she and her husband would
spend an hour in prayer for their family after reading scripture. It was her desire and
earnest prayer that her kids and grandkids would love Him, too.
Sam, her husband, was the love of her life. She met him at youth camp before Sam
went off to the South Pacific to serve in WWII. They both wrote letters to one another
across the ocean, which was how they got to know each other. They fell in love through
these letters. Her family later found these letters carefully saved in bundles tied with
ribbons. When the war was over, Sam came home and asked to marry her. She would
tell anyone who would listen that she had the best husband and marriage, and she did.
In their later years, you would most often find them dressed alike. Throughout her life,
she always looked her best with matching jewelry, shoes, and purses. And of course,
she rarely went without the trademark matching scarf tied around her neck. Her skin,
even at 93, was beautiful with almost no wrinkles! People would remark about that to
her, and it made her feel proud. Ruth and Sam were married over 60 years. At the end
of his life, she took care of him in their home. She would have it no other way. It was her
way.
Her children and grandchildren were her joy, and they always knew it. Gifts were her
love language and she always had a little something for everyone. As Easter is soon
upon us, her family has reminisced about the masterful Easter egg hunts she would
coordinate, complete with Easter baskets full of goodies choosen by her for each
person.
Ruth Schreier was born on August 17, 1926, to Frederick and Sophia Steinbruck in
Neidlingen, Germany. She came to this country with her mother, father and sister,
Martha, when she was about 3 years old. Later, another sister was to join the family,
Esther. She graduated from High School and went to work at Cook’s Coffee in
Philadelphia as a bookkeeper. She was so skilled at this, the company offered to pay to
send her to Wharton’s Business School. True to who she was, she said no, as she
wished to remain at home to care for her husband and children. From conversations
with her, that is something she never regretted.
Later, she would work for Schieber Oil Company, a small, local family business where
she would take care of the books for a number of years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sophia and Frederick Steinbruck; her
beloved husband, Sam Schreier; sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Fred Reinhardt;
brother-in-law, John Millheim; and brother-in-law, Joern Schmey.
She is survived by her sister, Esther Millheim; sister-in-law, Gloria Schmey; son and
daughter-in-law, Werner and Linda Schreier; daughter and son-in-law, Susan Baily and
Tony Gerard; and her grandchildren, listed as follows: Gretchen Deutch, Heidi DiSante,
Peter Schreier, John Schreier, Matthew Baily, Rachel Murrell, Hannah Brooker, and
Sarah Baily. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Hans and Katia Deutch;
Cailin, Erin, and Megan DiSante; Morgen Schreier; Luke, Ben, and Joe Schreier; Lukas
and Caleb Baily; Josephine, Liam, and George Murrell; Ben and Issac Brooker. There
are beloved nieces, nephews, and more friends than can be counted to add. We will
miss this extraordinary woman.
When the coronvirus crisis is over, and we are once again allowed to gather, a
Celebration of Life dinner will be held in her honor. Family will be notified.
Anyone interested in making a donation or contribution in her name may do so to:
Logos Academy Harrisburg. This is where Sarah Baily will be teaching in the Fall. It is
a mission school, https://logoshbg.org. The website describes the school and it’s goals
to provide " A Christ centered education for families of varied ethnic and socioeconomic
backgrounds' in downtown Harrisburg. On the top right corner of the page is a link:
"Make a Donation".
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