Ruth E. Ludwig

Ruth Evelyn Ludwig, 85, Beloit, Kansas died Saturday, April 10, 2010 in Beloit, Kansas. She was born in Beloit on December 1, 1924 to John Clemens and Sylvia Evelyn Cline Vetter and lived her entire life in Beloit. A 1942 graduate of Beloit High School, Ruth received her normal teaching training and taught at Roundtop Country School before marrying Max Ludwig in July, 1945. With Max, Ruth raised their four children with love, discipline, and unwavering support.

She encouraged and supported her children in all of their activities, whether it was football, tennis, softball or music. Ruth was the consummate caretaker, never more evident than after her oldest son Brian was paralyzed in a college football accident in 1967. With her typical determination, Ruth, with Max, made the most of Brian's 39 years, driving him to countless football games and school activities and providing him with impeccable care.

Always welcoming both family and friends, Ruth presided over innumerable visits at the kitchen table, regaling all with colorful stories from the past. She rarely sat down, always asking how she might make someone more comfortable or satisfied. Even in her last months, she wanted to know "what she should be doing" to help out.

Music was a huge part of Ruth's life. As a charter member of the Allegro Music Club, she took pride in her decades of duets and entertained everyone with her superb piano skills. It was not a complete night at the Ludwigs without Ruth's playing the piano and the family's singing along. She also enjoyed accompanying Beloit elementary and high school students in their vocal performances.

Ruth was a loving grandmother to her granddaughters and great grandchildren. All of her grandchildren have special memories of time at Grandma Ruth's: eating caramel rolls, playing board games or simply being spoiled.

Ruth lived simply but fully. She taught her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren the true meaning of life by the way she lived: with faith, loyalty, and most importantly, with love. Ruth's family—and all who were blessed to have known her—are better people because we knew –and were loved—by her.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Robert Vetter; her son Brian and husband Max.

She survived by son Roger (Martha) Hereford, Texas; son Lee (Patrice) Shawnee, Kansas; daughter Sylvia (Colleen McKeon), Beloit; granddaughters Amy Anderson and Samantha Malone (Shawn), Hereford, Texas; granddaughters Barbara, Caroline, Kathleen, and Kelsey Ludwig of Shawnee, KS; great grandchildren Zech, JaeCee, and Mylee Malone, Hereford, Texas; sisters-in-law Virginia Vetter, Rachel Ludwig and Jean Ludwig all of Beloit, and Cecilia Ludwig of Topeka, Kansas.

Father Joseph Kieffer will celebrate the Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM Tuesday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with burial following in St. John's Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the MCHHS Long Term Care Unit, Solomon Valley Hospice or St. John's Memorial Trust Fund. Friends may call from 9:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. Monday at the McDonald Funeral Home where the Parish Vigil and Rosary Service will be held at 6:30 P.M.