Kathleen Rae "Kay" Ruchti

1937 - 2025

Kathleen "Kay" Rae Ruchti (née Gallagher)

Oct 29, 1937 - Dec 2, 2025

Kathleen "Kay" Rae Ruchti (née Gallagher), a life-long resident of Hobart, IN, died on December 2, 2025, at the age of 88.

Kay is survived by her loving husband, Frederick "Fritz" L. Ruchti, III; daughter, Becky (Chip) Ruchti-Greenberg; grandchildren, Kay (Justin) Tennison, Megan (Christian) Hayden, Justin (Laura) Paris, and Amanda (Leon) Hein; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Noah, Ammerie, Cullen, Gillian, William, Kaiden, Arthur, Lydia, and Michael; brother, Thomas (Mary) Gallagher of Vail, AZ; sister, Beth Gallagher of West Union, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas J. Gallagher and Harriet C. Gallagher (née McClaran), of Hobart; and her son, Jeffrey A. Ruchti, of Hobart.

Kay was born on October 29, 1937, in Gary, IN. During high school, she was a member of the marching band and worked at Stommel's General Store. She graduated from Hobart High School in 1955 and attended Purdue University. She met her sweetheart Fritz in kindergarten at Roosevelt School in Hobart. They started dating after attending the same high school geometry class where, to paraphrase Fritz, "sparks flew." They wed on June 1, 1957, at Christ Episcopal Church in Gary and were married nearly 69 years. On January 17, 1959, and November 1, 1960, respectively, she welcomed her children into the world. Through the years, Kay was a devoted wife and mother. Aside from running the Ruchti household, she assisted with the Ruchti Brothers paint shop and business in downtown Hobart.

Kay enjoyed a wide variety of interests and activities during her life. She was an excellent cook and baker. She was an avid bird watcher, especially at Big Bass Lake in Michigan where she spent many summers with her family. She enjoyed socializing with her friends. She played cards with her girlfriends in a club for several years, and Fritz and she had weekly dinners with their high school friends until recently. Kay was a woman of strong faith. She was an active member of St. Stephen Episcopal Church in Hobart, where she was previously involved in Episcopal Church Women, Sunday School, and the Altar Guild. Perhaps most of all, Kay enjoyed doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She expressed her love for her family in several ways, such as sending care packages to grandchildren at college, attending numerous high school and college graduations, treating grandchildren to a matinée, leading hikes at Big Bass Lake, hosting dinners, or having nap club with her great-granddaughter Ammie. Kay will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 12 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at St. Stephen Episcopal Church in Hobart. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Stephen Episcopal Church Altar Guild. Cremation is entrusted to Rees Funeral Home, 600 West Old Ridge Road Hobart, Indiana 46342. For more information please call (219) 942-2109 or online condolences can be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.