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Ruth Berg, 98 of Hayes Township, Charlevoix County, died at Sunnybank Assisted Living in Charlevoix on September 24 after a lifetime on the farm where she was born on May 6, 1914, the daughter of John R. and Anna (Sauder) Struthers.Ruth was a graduate of Charlevoix High School, Charlevoix County Normal, and Central Michigan University. Soon after their marriage she and her husband, Leo, bought the family farm from her parents. Ruth often managed the farm while Leo had other employment. She taught elementary school at Walloon Lake and Petoskey for 28 years. After she retired, Ruth volunteered at Northern Michigan Hospital for 15 years. She took pleasure in preserving food and handing out jam and sweet pickles to friends and family. With the gifts came her signature hug. She loved to help neighbors in any way she could. She was an active long-time member of the Charlevoix Church of God, the Friendship Centers of Charlevoix and Petoskey, and the Michigan Retired Teachers Association.She left her family three clear directives: love your neighbor, share with those in need, work hard because it builds good character. Her favorite Bible verse was, “Seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.”Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Leo, in 1993. She is survived by five adult children: Betty M. Smith (James) of Traverse City, Michigan; Mary Ann Chew (Vincent) of Charlevoix, Michigan; Donna Friedeberg of Norwich, Connecticut; Donald Berg of Charlevoix, Michigan; Daniel Berg of Charlevoix; and by daughter-in-law, Rebecca Berg, of Charlevoix, Michigan. She leaves five grandchildren: Myriah Cummings of Sarasota, Florida; Michael Chew (Lisa) of Elmhurst, Illinois; Ted Friedeberg (Michele) of Southbury, Connecticut; Matthew Berg of Charlevoix, Michigan; and Mary Kurtz (Luther) of Harbor Springs, Michigan. She also leaves two great grandchildren: Connor and Evan Chew of Elmhurst, Illinois. Only one of her 8 siblings, Howard Struthers (Mona) of Charlevoix, survives her.A memorial service for the family will be held at a later date. Anyone who would like to remember Ruth may do so by contributing to the Charlevoix Public Library, where she loved to go with her daughter, Mary Ann Chew, or to Hospice of Northwest Michigan.Arrangements were made by Wolfe-O’Neill Funeral Home, our family serving yours. |
