Ruth Rodenbeck

Ruth Schwarze Rodenbeck, 93, passed away peacefully March 26, 2024. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 28 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, March 29 at Prairie Lea Cemetery with Dr. Craig Dohse officiating.

Ruth was born Aug. 17, 1930, in the Salem Community to parents Louis Sr. and Selma (Richter) Schwarze. Ruth was baptized and confirmed at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church. She attended the Salem School.

Ruth grew up on the family farm with her parents and nine siblings, who affectionately called her Tudy. She married Gilbert Rodenbeck at Salem Lutheran Church. Ruth and Gilbert made their home in Salem. Their daughter, Barbara Rodenbeck Saunders, was born Sept. 17, 1953.

Ruth was a lifelong member of Salem Lutheran Church, where she served on the Alter Guild and was a member of the Senior Citizen's Group. Ruth was employed for more than 50 years at Brentex Mills. Following retirement, Ruth enjoyed rocking babies at Christ Lutheran Day School.

After the death of her husband Gilbert, she remained a widow for 47 years. She lived in Salem, the house the two of them remodeled, then moved to Brenham. She then moved to Burton to live with her daughter, still driving to her beloved Salem Church each Sunday. She spent her last three years living in Brenham Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Ruth was a very involved and dedicated grandmother to her three grandchildren, and her three great grandchildren. She was known by her grandchildren and their friends as MeMe. She enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with her friends and family. During baseball season, Ruth always enjoyed watching her favorite team, the Houston Astros. She loved working in her yard and growing zinnias.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Barbara Rodenbeck Saunders; grandchildren Shawnda Saunders, Don Rybarski, T. and Stacy Saunders, and Clint Saunders; great-grandchildren Tucker Saunders, Seth Rybarski, and Eli Saunders; brothers and sisters-in-law Leroy Schwarze and Lonnie and Joyce Schwarze; sister Verlin Grimm; sisters-in-law Shirley Schwarze, Maxine Schwarze and Vondale Schwarze. Also surviving are many dear nieces, nephews and friends.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Gilbert; her parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law Edd and Esther Rodenbeck; son-in-law, Lloyd Saunders, Jr.; great-grandson, Wyatt Saunders; brothers Willie Schwarze, Edward Schwarze, Louis Schwarze Jr. and Calvin Schwarze; sisters Bernice Bates and Helen Rodenbeck; sister-in-law Rita Schwarze; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Alfred Rodenbeck, Edward Rodenbeck, Wilburn Rodenbeck, Calvin Rodenbeck, Esther Walker, Lillie Smith, Mildred Buerger, Irene Busse, and Kathryn Janner.

Honorary pallbearers will be Tucker Saunders, Seth Rybarski, Eli Saunders, Kim and Ronnie Supak, Peggy and Lloyd Schwarze, and Debbie and Mike Brau.

The family requests that memorials be made to Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church or the Christ Lutheran Day School.