Ruth L. Lippens

She was born on October 31, 1929 in Escanaba, Mich., daughter of Frank and LoRene (Seger) Posenke. Ruth was raised in St. Nicholas and attended Rock High School. Later in life, she went back to school and received her high school diploma from Escanaba in 1974.

Ruth was a homemaker and mother of five girls. When her youngest daughter began school, she became a cook at the Cornell Elementary School. In the summer, she was a cook at the 4-H Camp at J.W. Wells State Park. Eventually, she ventured into Escanaba and began her career at Andex Industries Plastic Plant as a machine operator/dye cutter. After 25 years, Ruth retired from Andex Industries in 1995.

Ruth loved to do crafts and made a variety of items that she sold at local craft fairs and the Farmers Market in Escanaba and Gladstone. She was extremely talented and could knit, crochet, sew and operate a knitting machine. Ruth made thousands of kitchen scrubbies and often wore the tip off her crochet hook. She also volunteered for the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Escanaba. There she mastered the rug loom and made several hundred rag rugs for resale in the store. She quickly became known as the “material girl” and “rug lady.” Ruth then purchased her own loom and began weaving rag rugs for the craft fairs. She also volunteered with Area 1 Special Olympics MI, Retired Senior Volunteer Program and Senior Companion Program. Ruth was involved with 4-H as a leader and instructor. She also judged various items at the UP State Fair.

Ruth enjoyed traveling and took numerous bus trips throughout the United States. She also had a green thumb for gardening both vegetables and flowers. Her beautiful flower gardens were admired by many neighbors. She also enjoyed playing the piano and accordion.

Ruth was involved with several military organizations and could always be found holding a flag at various military events. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, a Life Member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, and a 25-year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Ruth was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Escanaba.

Ruth enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She especially enjoyed wintering in Kerrville, Texas, and enjoyed just sitting in the sun and petting her “grand dogs” Hershey and Buffy. She loved going to the country western events and dancing the polka. She was loved by all and will be greatly missed.

Ruth is survived by her five daughters, Shirley Lippens of Green Bay, WI, Betty Lynch of Gladstone, Mary (Kenneth) Simonsen of Perkins, Joyce (Gerald) Destrampe of Gladstone, and Jane Hurst of Kerrville, TX; grandchildren, Cody (Mary) West, Thomas Falkeis, Brent (Helen) Lynch, Candace (Ryan) Wares, Greggory Simonsen, Erik (Stephanie) Simonsen, Kristen (Chris) Sinnaeve, Adam (Rachel) Simonsen, and Kimberly Destrampe; 13 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. She is also survived by three siblings, Floyd (Lynn) Posenke of Springfield, MO, Helen (William) Quarles of Lompoc, CA, and Howard (Mary) Posenke of Troy, MO.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; sons-in-law, Thomas Lynch and Kirby Hurst; and bothers Kirk (Bud) and Roger Posenke.

Visitation will be on Friday, October 16, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home in Escanaba. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at St. Thomas Catholic Church with Father Rick Courier officiating. Entombment will follow at Gardens of Rest Mausoleum.

The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.