Ruth E. Timmerman

She was born at the Rhinehart Hospital in Silver Creek on January 28, 1925 and baptized a few weeks later at the Trinity Lutheran Church which she loved and was so important in her life.

After the passING of her mother, Helen (Shultz) Staehle, when Ruth was 11, she and her little sister, Martha (Eades) Staehle were raised by their devoted father, Henry Staehle who told them if they “pulled together like a team of horses” they would make it. At that time the girls were very familiar with seeing teams of horses trying to make it up Oak Hill which was much steeper at that time. Only the ones who worked together made it up the hill.

Ruth was confirmed at Trinity at age 14. While attending a Lutheran Youth Group with young people from area churches she met Charles Timmerman. She would smile and say, “I picked him out right away.” Years later in 1946 when Chuck was separated from the Navy after WWII they were married at Trinity. They had 49 wonderful, loving years together until his death in 1995. Since then she had missed him every day, but finally, now they are together again.

She lived her whole life in Silver Creek which she fondly called “God’s Country” graduating from the new Silver Creek High School in 1944. Her first job was helping the war effort during WWII at a factory in Silver Creek testing war ordinance. In later years she worked at the Park Shoe Store, Ludeman’s Clothes Store, and Fredonia Seed Company.

Her church was always very important to her. She said, “If the doors were open, we were there.” She was a member of the Ladies Guild and spoke of being proud when asked to teach Sunday School. Ruth taught for more than 34 years. She also taught VBS as well making costumes for the Children’s Christmas Service and compiling verses and hymns into a play year that no published program could be found. She remembered every child she taught, and many continued to pay visits and send cards throughout her lifetime.

Ruth liked to be busy. Her father would smile and say, “Ruth has no sitz leder,” a German expression that meant, “Ruth never sits down.” Besides volunteering through the church, she became a Brownie/Girl Scout Leader and fondly remembered each of those girls as well. She taught herself to play piano by ear and enjoyed a variety of crafts including sewing, crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, plastic canvas, ceramics, and scrapbooking. Her favorite projects were when she was making gifts for family and friends.

She liked people and made friends easily. Her faith and her love of God was evident to anyone who knew her. To Ruth the sun shining through her window was a reassurance of God’s love. She could be counted on for a smile, an understanding hug, and a helping hand if needed. She treasured the time that she spent taking care of her grandsons and her great-grand daughters and would say, “I’m going to squeeze you to pieces and squeeze the pieces.” For years she looked forward to vacations spent at Six Foot Bay, where she enjoyed fishing, reading, relaxing, and generally just having fun with her husband, family and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband she was predeceased by her baby brother David and sister Martha. She is survived by a daughter, Diane (Timmerman) Gard and her husband Daniel E. Gard, whom Ruth loved as a son, as well as two grandsons, Daniel C. Gard (Lisa) and Robert E. Gard; two great-granddaughters, Breanna Leigh Nelson and Katelyn Elizabeth Gard; a great-grandson Nicholas Huffman; as well as precious nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews each of whom she loved dearly, and her brother in law Rev. Albert Sam, whom Ruth loved as a brother.

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful people at the Eden Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center for their kind, gentle care.

Ruth loved her church and it was her wish that, in lieu of flowers, any memorials would be made to: Trinity Lutheran Church, 15 Porter Ave. Silver Creek, NY 14136.

A funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday, November 2, at 11 AM.

Arrangements made by McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.