Ruth C. Stammen

Ruth C. Stammen, age 87, of New Weston, died Tuesday October 14, 2025, at Mercy Health St. Rita’s in Lima. She was born September 10, 1938, in Maria Stein, to the late Urban & Rosa (Wendeln) Menker. On July 27, 1963, she married Lawrence Stammen at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Maria Stein, and he died November 3, 1997.

Ruth is survived by five children and their spouses, Chris Stammen of New Weston, Jill & Dennis Leugers of Coldwater, Bob & Ronda Stammen of Versailles, Jay & Deidre Stammen of New Weston, and Jon & Jenny Stammen of Versailles. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Lauren & Kyle Dirksen, Ryan Leugers & special friend Tiffany Welty, Jenna Leugers, Katey & Ben Ahrens, Alex & Glenda Wendel, Michael Stammen, Lucas Stammen, Bailey Stammen & fiancé Matthew Shook, Reece Stammen & special friend Abigail Dolliver, Garrett Stammen, Henry Stammen, Heidi Stammen, Elli Stammen, and Sam Stammen, as well as five great grandchildren, Nora, Lydia, Emily, Carter Dirksen and Olivia Ahrens.

Ruth’s passing is the end of a generation on both sides of her family. She is preceded in death by siblings and in-laws Irene & Paul Kleinhenz, Lucille & Joseph Kleinhenz, Don Heric, Rita & Charles Heinl, Mary Ann Menker and Alice Menker, Coletta Stammen, Alfons & Esther Stammen, Lois Stammen, Armella Stammen, Edward & Bernadine Stammen, Margaret & Norbert Langenkamp, Herman Stammen, Cyril & Mathilda Stammen, Marie & Ado Langenkamp, Cornelius & Annamae Stammen, Virgil & Sally Stammen, Carl & Ruth Stammen, Dolores & Joe Groff, Eulalia & Elmer Klosterman, and her father and mother-in-law Joseph and Josephine (Weis) Stammen.

Ruth was a member of the first graduating class of Marion Local High School of 1956. After her father’s passing, Ruth was appointed to fill his position as Postmaster of Maria Stein. Once Ruth and Lawrence were married and started their family, she became a devoted farm wife and a loving homemaker for her family. She later went on to work at Dannon in Minster. Ruth was a member of the St. Bernard Catholic Church in Burkettsville and loved to attend her grandchildren’s sporting events and school activities. She will be remembered for her kind and loving personality and her faithful spirit.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, October 20, 2025, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Burkettsville. Following the funeral mass, burial will take place in St. Bernard Cemetery. Friends and family may call from 1:00 – 6:00pm on Sunday, October 19, or 9:00 – 9:45am on Monday, October 20, at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Bernard Church Window Restoration Project, or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Condolences for the family may be expressed in person or left at hogenkampfh.com