Ruth Lichtenberg

Ruth Elizabeth (Grieme) Lichtenberg was born October 18, 1927, to Henry and Malinda Grieme in Alta, Iowa. Ruth attended Hanover Lutheran Parochial School and graduated from Alta High School. Ruth had plans to attend Colorado Woman's College in 1946 to study interior design. Ruth married Roger Lichtenberg on September 19, 1948. The couple settled on the family farm and was blessed with two children. Roger and Ruth relocated to Minnesota in the mid 1970s. Roger passed away in March of 1982. Ruth remained in Minnesota where she devoted 10 years of in-home care to Victor and Wilma "Billie" Moose. Following Billie's death, Ruth moved to Denison, Iowa and administered in-home care to Ernie Raun for five years. Ruth retired and moved to Dunlap. She continued "caretaking" by voluntarily taking friends to appointments, visiting shut-ins, and doing church work.

Ruth was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in rural Hanover, Iowa. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Dunlap and was active in the WELCA group. She was also a member of Entre Nous Club and the Friendly Neighbors Club in Dunlap. She enjoyed collecting angels, gardening, baking, entertaining, reading, consignment shopping and interior decorating. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were a special joy to her. Ruth was often contacted by friends and family for her advice on home decorating. Ruth was also an accomplished pianist and very proud of her German heritage.

Ruth died on Friday, March 25, 2016, at the Dunlap Special Care Center at the age of 88 years, five months, and seven days.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; a brother and sister in infancy; husband, Roger Lichtenberg; parents-in-law, Walter and Marie Lichtenberg; brother and sister-in-law, Ralph and Naomi Grieme; and brother-in-law, Lyle Lichtenberg. Left to cherish her memory are her two children, Joel (Candi) Lichtenberg of Owings Mills, MD, Gretchen (Virgil) Peterson of Dunlap, IA; six grandchildren, Sheila (Craig) McConville, Sheri Lichtenberg Murphy, Joel (April) Lichtenberg, Matt (Katie) Lichtenberg, Jodi (Jason) Nelson, Jay (Marianne) Peterson; 14 great grandchildren, Marlaina, Josiah, Noah, Esti, Maya, Shai, Nathan, Abby, Lily, Zeb, Aliza, Jozef, Drake and Isaac; sister-in-law, Marie Lichtenberg of Alta, IA; four nieces; one nephew; "adopted" daughter, Joan Saathoff; and many other relatives and friends.

Per Ruth's request, her body was bequeathed to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for medical education and scientific research.

A memorial celebration service for Ruth will be held at a later date.