Obituary: Ruth Wendt, 90, Custer. 

Obituary: Ruth Wendt, 90, Custer. 

Ruth Mae Wendt, 90, of Custer passed away on Friday April 20, 2018 surrounded by her family at Ludington Woods Living Center.  Ruth was born on July 17, 1927 in Free Soil, the daughter of Frank and Jennie (Hooghouse) Dickey.  She grew up surrounded by three brothers and four sisters in Amber Township.  She attended Scottville schools, leaving early to help on her family’s farm.   On August 8, 1948 she married Sanford Wendt in Amber Township and they celebrated 69 years together.

Ruth was introduced to Sanford while working at the A&P Grocery Store.  She also worked various times at  the cheese factory and Kortge’s Rest Home both in Scottville, and picked fruit for local orchards and strawberry producers.  As a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, she was a Sunday school teacher for many years. She and Sanford worked on their farm south of Custer together where Ruth also enjoyed working in her garden, canning the fruits and vegetables she grew for her family and friends.  When they took a break they enjoyed fishing and playing cards.  As much as Ruth loved all those things her greatest joy was found caring for her husband, raising her five children, and especially spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

From barrel racing and square dancing on her horse, Penny, to her later years Ruth never lost her sense of humor, love for colorful phrases, or adventure.  There was always a twinkle in her eye until her last day.  She never missed an opportunity to laugh and she was always first to help when it was needed.  Ruth’s faith in God helped carry her through life’s many challenges.

Ruth will be greatly missed by her beloved Sanford, her children, Charles (Carole) Wendt, Sandra (James) Durfee, all of Scottville, and Thomas (Debra) Wendt of Custer.  Ruth was preceded in death by her sons, Larry in 1964, and Richard in 2011.  Ruth will also be missed by her seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren along with her sister Mary Lou Hubbell of Muskegon, and adopted sister Sueko Kinnucan of Engadine.

A graveside service will be held for Ruth at 3 p.m. on Friday April 27 at Riverside Cemetery in Custer with Rev. Norman Letsinger officiating.  Those who wish to remember Ruth with a memorial donation are asked to consider Great Lakes Caring Hospice, who gave her great care in her last days.

Please visit Ruth’s memory page at www.wymanfuneralservice.com to leave a tribute of Ruth for her family, or to light a candle in her memory.