Judy Mary Ann Ruether, nee Meyer, 78, of Wentzville, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, December 18. She was born April 5, 1945, to the late Theodore Meyer and wife Rosaly, nee Sickman. Judy was united in marriage to John Leroy Ruether on May 8, 1965, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Concord Hill. They enjoyed 58 wonderful years together. Judy filled her life with moments shared with family and friends, acts of service and living out her faith. She had a tenacious spirit and a strong desire to make a positive difference in the lives of those she touched.
Some of her happiest times were spent with her 28 grandchildren, playing cards, stocking her kitchen with snacks and soda to keep them fed, and spending time outside driving around in their buggy and throwing rocks in the creek. Judy was a social person and loved spending time with her family and friends- going on road trips, sister weekends, looking for antiques and playing pinochle were some of her favorite things. She loved the outdoors, was an avid gardener, and enjoyed fishing and playing slow-pitch softball for many years.
Passing along her faith through words and deeds to her family, and anyone she met was important to her. She relied on her faith to guide her, often putting other’s needs before her own. Through her many years as a parishioner of Holy Rosary and St. Mary Catholic Churches, Judy actively volunteered in parish activities and organizations such as St. Vincent DePaul, St. Ann’s Sodality, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus.
She is survived by her eight children, Michelle (Steven) Jost of Oakville, Michael (Michelle) Ruether of Hawk Point, Mark (Traci) Ruether of Hawk Point, Melissa (Doug) Gildehaus of Troy, Marcia (Chris) Irby of Creve Coeur, Marcy (Paul) Arrowood of Cottleville, Martin (Britney) Ruether of Lake St. Louis, Meredith (Scott) Hart of Warrenton; grandchildren, Ryan, Brendan, Devin, Jordan, Cade, Emma, Colby, Kent, Kase, Abygail, Kyle, Landon, Isabella, Zachary, Jack, Drew, Logan, Rachel, Clayton, Olivia, Grace, Elaina, John, Kate, Leo, Reagan, Reece, Mason; six brother's, Teddy (Rita) Meyer, Leo (Myriam) Meyer, Jim (Alice) Meyer, Tom (Dianne) Meyer, Bob (Marsha) Meyer, Rich (Aurie) Meyer; four sisters, Mary (Hank) Fischer, Rosemary (Charles) Carpenter, Lenora "Tootie" (Maurice) Eagan, Helen (Gary) Kleekamp; sister-n-law, Sandra Meyer, sister-n-law, Rosemary Meyer, brother-in-law, Kenneth Ackman, brother-n-law, Jim Hellebusch. She is preceded in death by her father, Theodore Meyer, mother, Rosaly Meyer nee Sickman, sister, Betty Gildehaus, brother, Elroy Meyer, brother, Lawrence Meyer, sister, Dorothy Ackman, sister, Patsy Hellebusch, brother-n-law, Orville Gildehaus. She will be missed by all who knew her.
