At her home in Prior Lake, Ruth Marie Beutler, age 82, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, October 15, 2017, surrounded by her beloved family.
A Service of Celebration and Praise will be held on Saturday, October 21 at 11 am, with a time of gathering starting at 9:30 am, both at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 14085 Pike Lake Trail, Prior Lake, MN. The Reverend James Jobst will preside. Pall bearers will be Ruth’s grandchildren. Ruth will be laid to rest at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Prior Lake, MN.
Ruth’s life began on May 4, 1935, in St. Paul, MN, where she was born the only child to Emil and Marie (Wegener) Heideck. As a young girl growing up in Minneapolis, MN, Ruth took a fond liking to sports. In this era, girls couldn’t participant in school sports, but Ruth pushed forward and participated in sports. She loved to play tennis and basketball and was a member of the baton team. She took up, and enjoyed playing the violin in her youth, and lettered as a member of the high school orchestra. Ruth’s father worked for Northwest Airlines, allowing the family to explore the world. Their favorite destination was exploring the family’s heritage in Germany. Ruth proudly graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1953.
Attending the University of Minnesota, Ruth earned a degree in home economics. Over the next several years, she taught at Delano and the Prior Lake School Districts. In Ruth’s later years, she gained a realtor license and enjoyed finding the perfect home for families. Most of Ruth’s life was spent as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. While attending her lifelong friend (Ellen Hughes) wedding, she was introduced to a young immigrant from Germany, Manfred Beutler. Their love flourished and on August 23, 1958, Ruth and Manfred exchanged wedding vows at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN.
First living in Minneapolis, Ruth and Manfred eventually bought a home on Prior Lake in 1960. Here, they opened their heart and home to children. Ruth and Manfred were unable to have children of their own, so they adopted 5 beautiful children, John, Robert, Linda, James and Marion. Ruth and Manfred extended their hearts even further. For around 30-years, Ruth and Manfred started their journey in raising and nurturing 66 foster children. As a family, they loved spending time together boating, skiing, sailing, canoeing and enjoying other great lake memories. Manfred to worked for Northwest Airlines. This career allowed the Beutler family to enjoy many vacations to Florida and other destinations around the United States and abroad.
In her spare time, Ruth loved watching soap operas and the Price is Right! She enjoyed breeding, raising and showing champion Pomeranian dogs. In Ruth’s earlier years, she too enjoyed English style horseback riding. She relished listening to the music of Glen Campbell and Johnny Cash.
Ruth had many great qualities. She was devoted to her faith. Ruth was a great role model in raising her children to be good Christians. Ruth also taught her family the value of money. She showed them how far money can really be stretched, for Ruth was all about finding that bargain!!! She was also the “Queen of Coupons”. But it’s Ruth’s character that resonates the most. She had this selfless, caring and loving personality. Ruth was proud of her German heritage and had the German feistiness in her too. For Ruth spoke her mind!
Left to honor Ruth’s life and forever loved by children, John (Mary Ann) Mingo, Robert Beutler, Linda (James) Martinson, James Beutler, Marion Hansen; grandchildren, Andrea, Heidi, Sarah, Brooks, Georgia, Briana, Lauren, Haley, Alexx, Ben, Randon; 2 great-grandchildren June and Ruby; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Ruth home in heaven is husband, Manfred and parents.
