Mary "Ruth" Knaus

Mary "Ruth" Knaus passed away peacefully on June 8, 2025 at her home in Akron, Ohio. She was born to parents James "Willard" Thomas and Mary Dee Hutchison on June 10, 1935 in Fancy Farm, Kentucky. Her family moved to Akron, Ohio where her father was employed manufacturing tires at General Tire.

Ruth graduated from Akron's St. Mary's High School in 1953. Soon after high school she was employed as a secretary at Firestone. In 1958 she married Ernest Knaus at St. Mary Catholic Church in Akron Ohio. Ruth worked as a transportation driver for special needs youth in Akron Public Schools. Most important to Ruth were friends and family where she was a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and neighbor.

Starting in 1960 Ruth and Ernest moved to their lifelong home in the Ellet area of Akron where they became parishioners at St. Matthew Church. Being educated in Catholic schools herself, Ruth was a strong believer in Catholic education and sent her four boys to Catholic schools through high school. She enjoyed family gatherings and traveling with one of her favorite destinations being the beach.

Ruth had a large circle of family and friends. Ruth laughed and smiled a lot. She was fun and silly. Ruth liked bowling and bridge club in her younger years, enjoyed the camaraderie of golf in her older years, and always liked to play games like cards and dominoes. Ruth loved her grandchildren and how they shared their life stories with her but she was not a "softie" and would tell you what she thought.

Ruth is preceded in death by her father, mother, sister Pat, and brothers Bud and Bill. She is survived by husband Ernest; sister Elaine (Pat) Donahue, four sons/daughter-in-laws: Mike (Kitty), Steve (Chris), Mark (Dalia), Tim (Beth); fifteen grandchildren: Bridgett, Joe, Amanda (Nick) Strominger, Leigh (Will) Sanford, Taylor, Maria (Mauro) Amendola, Drew, Brian (Maddie), Jacob, Jenna, Stephanie, Ben, Faith, Mark, Evan; five great grandchildren: Mason, June, Violet, Kinsley, Parker, plus one on the way; and numerous nieces/nephews.

Mary Ruth Knaus will be greatly missed, never forgotten, and loved forever by her husband and all of her family.

Family and friends are invited to visit Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Matthew Church, 2580 Berne St., Akron. The memorial mass will take place at 11 a.m. at the church with a reception to follow.

Memorial donations may be made in her name to St. Matthew Catholic Church https://www.stmatthewparish.net/. Flowers may be sent directly to the church.

To share a memory of Ruth or to leave a special message for her family, please visit the guest book below.