Dear Grandma Ruth,
 I heard the hallelujah mass on the radio the other day and instantly it was like I was sitting in the pews at 1st Presbyterian listening to you sing in the choir. I hope that my little Rosalind Audrey who shares your middle name in honor of you will grow up singing and with her heart just as full of love and kindness as her amazing great grandmother. We miss you and are always comforted to know you are watching over us.
Love,
Heidi

Mom, we all missed the caroling at U of R this year because of COVID. Such a strange time, but we’ll sing a couple of favorites for you! Merry Christmas. Thanks for all the great memories.

We were celebrating you yesterday in our thoughts and hearts. We all shared how wonderful it was for you to have given us life, not only at the beginning but throughout our entire lives and those of our children, your dear grandchildren who miss you so. We are trying to live like you did, selflessly loving and ready to help anyone at anytime. Thank you for teaching us how to live and how to age as you did so gracefully. You are truly missed but live on, most assuredly, as we ask for your guidance and protection every day.

Five years we have missed you and we still ask for your protection and advice in times of need. Thank you for watching over us when we are afraid of most anuything. We also think of you in every celebration from holidays to the arrival of your great-grandson, Landon Wessel! You would have loved cradling him in your loving arms! Now we're counting on your love for Peter's wife, Erica who is in a battle for her life with sarcoma cancer. Thank you for helping them stay strong . Oh how I wish we could have a long conversation over tea! Somuch love for you, Susie

I miss your light and wise advise! How will I get trained as a grandmother without you?? I only hope I can be as positive an influence on this new baby-boy-to -be as you were on Heidi and Peter. I love you today and always to the moon and back. Thanks for watching over us still❤️❤️

Miss you so much always but especially this time of year! We'll be lighting the advent candles for you this year...by request of your dear grandchildren, Heidi and Peter, believe it! You are in our lives every day! Heidi sent a picture of your Christmas cactus in her classroom blooming. Can you hear her teaching with the love you taught her?

I have to thank you for helping me be what I am today. Your quiet example for living a spiritual life resonates loudly. I miss your sweet voice; your cheery hello, comforting comments, and sense of humor. Always thinking of you, but especially today on the anniversary of your passing. Love you Mom!

As a long day ends, I take the time to cherish your life with us on this your birthday. Singing in choir last night made me hope you were listening and enjoying. I miss you so much and thank you for every joyful part of life you shared with us all. Dear Debbie Dyson...and many other sorority girls still look up to you as we all did. You and Aunt Kitty and Aunt Marge were such great examples of what love brings to a family. Happy Birthday Mom!

I think of Ruth often. Not sure if the rest of the Erks know, but I'm a house mom at a sorority at IU now and love it. I talked to Ruth several times about it. I know she, my mom , and Aunt Kitty would all be happy about that. Happy birthday to a wonderful lady, who played a part in so many of my fondest childhood memories.

I remember the beautiful smiles. I remember never a word of complaint; about health, home, happiness, or the lack thereof. What an example for us. You overcame so much in your life when it wasn't maybe fashionable and definitely not easy for a woman to do on her own. Your faith and trust in God was that example. Thanks Mom!! Happy Birthday!

I am so blessed to have had you as my mother. You were always teaching me to do what is right and fair. I am missing you so much. Missing the fun times we always had together. Thank you for sharing all the adventures. Love you Mom.

Today is a day that I will always look upon with very mixed feelings. You passed on this day; leaving your pain and earthly suffering for the grace and mercy of God's Kingdom, but selfishness causes me to want you here. I miss you Mom and I regret each day that I was not a better son to you. I raise a toast to you today; Here's to a great Lady!!

Remembering all the great birthdays that you made sure were special for me, I can only hope and have faith that your celebrations are never-ending in heaven. I miss you and love you dearly!! Happy 85th Mom.

We all tried very hard to feel happy even though we did remember how hard last Thanksgiving was. As you taught us, each day of life is worth remembering. We remembered many, many special moments with you all week and even made a recipe written in your handwriting. Thank you for giving us a strong family and for helping us build our own. You must be very proud of how your grandchildren are carrying on your teachings and love for others. We all miss you so much!

Looking back on my life, I am reminded daily how Mom influenced the person I have become. Growing spiritually, I am amazed by her example of turning her life and will over to God. In doing so, she enriched everyone around her. Her positive outlook and belief in God's plan for her made each of her days special. God blessed her with the love of family and her children. When it's my time, I can only hope the same can be said of me. I love you Mom.

We would be celebrating tonight with you, out to dinner, laughing, remembering good times and you know we would have all been there! Peter and Heidi really count on our family celebrations to hug you and make sure you know how much they love you! Here's hugs and kisses and some tears to let you know how much you are missed! Celebrate with us from on high, will you?

Happy 84th Birthday Grandma! I wish you were here and we were all going out to Turley's for dinner. I drove by there the other day and thought of all the times we enjoyed meals there together. I'm sure you are having an even better party where you are so eat all the cake you want and dance to the angle band! XOXOXOXOX Heidi

Susie, Keith, and Barbie,
   Aunt Kitty just shared the news of Ruth's passing and I was so sorry to hear it. I have so many wonderful memories of your mom and your whole family while growing up. I remember her beautiful voice during Christmas caroling, her patience during sleepovers with Susie, and all the many, many fun times at Klinger Lake. So very sorry for your loss, but I know you have countless warm and loving memories of your mom.    PS. You should all think about another Klinger Lake reunion! I know the Cochrans would love it.

Your mother was just the best, and I am so lucky to have known her. As the Alumnae Advisory Chairman at the CU Pi Beta Phi Chapter, Ruth was so available and was such a wonderful person to talk to when I needed that time with her. Barbie, I still laugh when she kept telling you that you couldn't blow out the candle at the Initiation Banquet. That was just awesome!! Peace and love to all of you, Morgan & Karen Turner

I miss you so much already, dear Aunt Ruth, but I know you're in the midst of a glorious reunion in heaven. You grace and elegance are something I aspire to and your life blessed me and my family. Say hello to everyone there and give Mom a hug from me, okay? I love you!

Hi, Susie and Barbie (and Keith, whom I don't know), A friend forwarded the notice of your mother's passing. She and I exchanged Christmas cards until very recently, and I continue to count Ruth as one of my best friends whileI lived in Boulder 1985-90. I still remember pearls of wisdom she shared with me. She was an amazing support in my choir at St. Andrew Presbyterian. I wish you all peace as you get used to this new reality. I will miss her even though it's been about 10 years since I saw her last. With warm hugs inspired by a great lady-

Dear Family,
Ruth is gone too soon. What a beautiful woman she was, so full of grace and elegance. We will miss her sweet smile at all of our P.E.O. gatherings.

Dear Susie, Barbie and Keith,

My deepest condolences to you and your families. Your mom was a great lady. And what a voice! A Christmas never goes by when I don't remember her singing "O Holy Night" at our church in Anderson.

Having lost both of my parents in the past 10 years, I understand how hard it will be to miss such a warm, wonderful person. I know she left a lot of great memories.

hugs,
Ron
Algarrobo, Chile

Dear family, Ruth was a shining light in this world. Always had a loving and caring word to say to me and my family. I always felt welcomed and always got a hug every time I saw her. Our prayers and love are with you all!!! She will be missed. Love always.

Every day I miss one more thing about you but then I realize, you're still here with us in everything you taught us. You're not gone but live forever in the kindness and acceptance you taught us about through your life actions. Thank you, thank you for the 83 years spent loving everyone around you. I aspire to carry on that love in your absence.

Your passing was as graceful as you handled the rest of your life. Style and class to the end. You were always and remain beautiful to me.

Love you Mom!