Ruth T. Brenner
June 8th, 1929 - May 9th, 2022
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Ruth's Obituary
Ruth T. Brenner, 92, of Benton Harbor, went to meet her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, Monday, May 9, 2022, surrounded by her loving family at her home.
A Christian Funeral will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Colfax & Kline Ave., Benton Harbor, with Rev. Nathan Buch officiating. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in Berrien Center. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Ruth’s name may be made to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church or Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to sign Ruth’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Ruth was born June 8, 1929 in Ottertail, Minnesota to Fritz & Emma (Cordes) Thalmann. After moving to Eau Claire, she graduated from Eau Claire High School, Class of 1947. Ruth worked as a teller, for six years at Eau Claire State Bank before marrying Rodney Brenner on June 27, 1953 in Eau Claire. She put her career on hold to dedicate her time to her husband and raising their four children. After the children were older, in 1974 Ruth gained employment at the Big Boy Restaurant in Benton Harbor where she worked for ten years as a cashier. She finished her career as a mail clerk at the American Society for Agricultural Engineers in St. Joseph, retiring after six years.
Ruth was a long-time member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor. She helped with all of the mailings for Project C, which helped with the funding and founding of Michigan Lutheran High School. Ruth dedicated her life to her family and cherished the time spent with them. She looked forward to sending out cards for birthdays, and adding a dollar bill to each Holiday card for all the grandkids. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she enjoyed hosting the family at her home. In her free time, Ruth enjoyed tending to her flower gardens and watching sporting events, especially the Chicago Cubs & Blackhawks.
Ruth is survived by her children-Mary “Kathy” (Terry) Andrews of Niles, Michael “Mike” (Amy) Brenner of Eau Claire, Mark Brenner of Niles, Barbara “Barb” (Art) Frank of Benton Harbor, her “adopted" son, Jack (Deniece) Fisher of St. Joseph; ten grandchildren-Jennifer Heinz, Todd Andrews, Julie (Jeffrey Allen) Andrews, Dawn (Timothy) Rochefort, Stefanie (Scott) Grabemeyer, Taylor (Rachel) Brenner & Trey Brenner, Jason Frank , Brian Frank ; nineteen great-grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; her siblings-Eunice Rogien of Eau Claire, Verle (Bobbie) Thalmann of Tucson, AZ, Judy (Robert) Pufall of Sturgis, MI, sister-in-law Betty Thalmann of Delton, MI; and numerous nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Rodney on June 11, 1985, her grandson Jay Brenner, her siblings-Vern Thalmann, Marge (George) Wagner, Marcie (Jerry) Rehbein, brother-in-law Robert Rogien, and sister-in-law Joyce Thalmann.
A Christian Funeral will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Colfax & Kline Ave., Benton Harbor, with Rev. Nathan Buch officiating. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in Berrien Center. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Ruth’s name may be made to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church or Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to sign Ruth’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Ruth was born June 8, 1929 in Ottertail, Minnesota to Fritz & Emma (Cordes) Thalmann. After moving to Eau Claire, she graduated from Eau Claire High School, Class of 1947. Ruth worked as a teller, for six years at Eau Claire State Bank before marrying Rodney Brenner on June 27, 1953 in Eau Claire. She put her career on hold to dedicate her time to her husband and raising their four children. After the children were older, in 1974 Ruth gained employment at the Big Boy Restaurant in Benton Harbor where she worked for ten years as a cashier. She finished her career as a mail clerk at the American Society for Agricultural Engineers in St. Joseph, retiring after six years.
Ruth was a long-time member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor. She helped with all of the mailings for Project C, which helped with the funding and founding of Michigan Lutheran High School. Ruth dedicated her life to her family and cherished the time spent with them. She looked forward to sending out cards for birthdays, and adding a dollar bill to each Holiday card for all the grandkids. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she enjoyed hosting the family at her home. In her free time, Ruth enjoyed tending to her flower gardens and watching sporting events, especially the Chicago Cubs & Blackhawks.
Ruth is survived by her children-Mary “Kathy” (Terry) Andrews of Niles, Michael “Mike” (Amy) Brenner of Eau Claire, Mark Brenner of Niles, Barbara “Barb” (Art) Frank of Benton Harbor, her “adopted" son, Jack (Deniece) Fisher of St. Joseph; ten grandchildren-Jennifer Heinz, Todd Andrews, Julie (Jeffrey Allen) Andrews, Dawn (Timothy) Rochefort, Stefanie (Scott) Grabemeyer, Taylor (Rachel) Brenner & Trey Brenner, Jason Frank , Brian Frank ; nineteen great-grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; her siblings-Eunice Rogien of Eau Claire, Verle (Bobbie) Thalmann of Tucson, AZ, Judy (Robert) Pufall of Sturgis, MI, sister-in-law Betty Thalmann of Delton, MI; and numerous nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Rodney on June 11, 1985, her grandson Jay Brenner, her siblings-Vern Thalmann, Marge (George) Wagner, Marcie (Jerry) Rehbein, brother-in-law Robert Rogien, and sister-in-law Joyce Thalmann.
Memorial Contributions
Memorial donations in Ruth''s name may be made to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church or Caring Circle Hospice
Service Details
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