Ellis County Obituary
Shattuck Memorial Cemetery

aka IOOF

RUTH EVA MEIER EHRLICH

19 Oct 1912 - 24 Aug 2013

Submitted by Family
Original source
& date unknown
Submitted by: Janet Flickinger

Born Oct 19, 1912 in Shattuck, Ellis Co., OK
Died Aug 24, 2013 in Shattuck, Ellis Co., OK

Ruth was born October 19, 1912 to Johann Friedrich "Fred" and Eva Elisabeth (Wassenmiller) Meier in Shattuck, OK. Ruth's parents emigrated from German settlements along the Volga River in Russia to Lehigh, Kansas where several of Ruth's siblings were born. Eventually, the family moved to and homesteaded a farm southwest of Shattuck.

Ruth was the last, surviving member of the immediate Fred Meier family being predeceased by her parents, siblings, their spouses, husband, and one of her children, Roy Lee. Her brothers and their spouses were Fred (Margaret), Jake (Esther), Herman (Dean), Alex (Cassie), and Alvin. Ruth's sisters and their spouses were Olinda (Holt) Karst, Leah (Adam) Kerbs Sr., Mollie (Henry) Meier), and Ophelia (Joe) Fischer. Two additional sisters died in infancy.

On May 20, 1929, Ruth married Jake G. Ehrlich of Shattuck. To this union was born six children: Vera Riffel, Roy Lee (m. Henrietta Bush), Donald (m. Norma Jean Bruton), Velda (m. Haskell Harris, deceased), Nelson (m. Dixie Dain), and Karen (m. Jerry Richardson). Additional descendants of Ruth and Jake include 20 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, and 23 great-great grandchildren.

Ruth worked for the Shattuck School system for 34 years as cafeteria manager and cook. She helped pioneer the Shattuck school-lunch program and was later involved in the training of cafeteria staff from area schools. Eating in ‘Ruth's' cafeteria is a fond remembrance held by many students, teachers, and staff.

Ruth was very active in and was the last surviving charter member of St. Paul Congregational Church. When Ruth began to slow down, she devoted much of her time to crocheting hundreds of stocking caps and other apparel for relatives, hospital infants and for distribution through church missions. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, canning many, many jars of pickles, and baked thousands of cinnamon rolls and bierocks. Her grandchildren particularly enjoyed her homemade noodles and cinnamon rolls. She loved nature's beauty, and through the years, many passersby enjoyed her petunias and other flowers.

Ruth celebrated her 95th birthday with family and friends. She was reluctant to celebrate her 100th birthday, but fortunately gave a last minute okay. Both celebrations were held at the Shattuck community center. The family was looking forward to a 101st celebration, but that was not meant to be. Ruth passed away August 24 in Guymon, OK where she was being cared for after suffering a stroke earlier this year in March.

She was a blessed wife, mother, grandmother, and friend and always approached and lived life with joy and the highest of morals and exemplified that outlook to her children, grand children, and all who knew her. Her mischievous smile, ornery demeanor, sharp wit and her exceptional ability to recall the events of her life were present until her illness. She will be sorely missed.

Funeral services were held August 28, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church in Shattuck. Internment was in the Shattuck cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Paul Congregational Church; 919 Olive Street; Shattuck, Oklahoma 73858.