Ruthann LaRue

RuthAnn Fricke LaRue passed away with her daughters by her side on April 18, 2025.

Whether through a hug, a baked cookie or a kind word, RuthAnn showed her love and kindness unselfishly for others. Her life with her family and choice to care for others as a nurse brought great joy to her parents. In addition, she was a feisty and beloved sister.

RuthAnn was a devoted wife to Bill for over 50 years and a role model for her two daughters, Chris and Susan. She taught them the importance of education, independence, hard work, faithfulness and care. And when they had grown and left her nest, she loved their husbands, Kurt and Ted, as if they were her own sons.

While in her younger years RuthAnn cared for the sick and elderly as a registered nurse, in her later years she poured her time and energy into knitting warm hats for children. She knit thousands of hats over many years because few things bothered her more than the thought of kids with cold heads in winter.

She welcomed all who needed friendship or warmth into her home with a welcoming hug, unquestioning acceptance and warm cookies at the ready. She felt very blessed to have such wonderful friends despite great distances throughout her life.

Her greatest joy however was in her role as a Mimi to Jack and Libby. The time she spent with them playing games, attending their events and watching them chase the waves on Bethany Beach were the most golden moments of her life. Her pride in them and her love for them knew no bounds. If she had one regret, it was that she would not have the opportunity to see them continue to grow and thrive.

She will be missed and remembered with love by her immediate family, Chris, Kurt, Jack, Libby, Susan and Ted. She will also remain in the hearts of her sister, brother and her friends of many years.

Her daughters would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff and residents at Waltonwood for their care over the past year and to the fellow nurses and nursing assistants who cared for and honored her at Royal Oak Beaumont in her last months.

RuthAnn's family is honoring her wishes, so there will not be a service. Her immediate family will gather to celebrate her life and love. If anyone wishes to honor RuthAnn, please show care to those who need it and think of her for a moment the next time you enjoy a chocolate chip cookie.

You find some of her favorite memories here: https://youtu.be/MZX2hed-ojU