Submitted by Dan Rich

Ruth A. Wiegand

Jan. 24, 1923 - Feb. 12, 2007

South Bend Tribune 2/15/2007
LAKEVILLE - Ruth A. Wiegand, 84, of Lakeville, passed away at 10:40 p.m. on Monday, February 12, 2007, in Hospice House, South Bend. Mrs. Wiegand was born on January 24, 1923, in Lakeville, to the late George Ora and Elizabeth (Whiteman) Hartman. She was a lifelong resident of Lakeville, spending 13 retirement years in Naples, Florida.

On November 30, 1940, in South Bend, Ruth married Ernest Carl Wiegand, who preceded her in death on July 21, 1999. Mrs. Wiegand is survived by two daughters, Georgiana E. Fuchs of Lakeville and Kathleen L. Bennett of Orange Park, FL; eight grandchildren, Kent (Kim) Fuchs, Kevin (Mary) Fuchs, Karla (Scott) Flynn, Jim Wiegand, Jay (Carla) Wiegand, Jon (Sherri) Wiegand, Adam Bennett and Melissa Bennett; 15 great- grandchildren; one sister, Alice Walker of Walkerton; and her best (four-legged) friend, Suzie "Q." Mrs. Wiegand was preceded in death by her four sons, Jerry, Thomas, Dennis and Daniel Wiegand; three sisters, Kathryn Lawson, Emogene Six and Marian Strom; and two brothers, Lester and Daniel Hartman.

Ruth was an exceptional caregiver for her sons, Tom and Dennis, seeing to their needs for years. It was important to her that they be "accepted" when people with disabilities were being shunned in society. She worked effortlessly with the MDA to promote these principles. She was adamant about their education and would carry home armloads of books monthly for them. Grandma Ruth loved sharing her joy of bird- watching with all the grandkids and great- grandkids. When the grandkids would spend a week's vacation with her in Florida, they were treated like royalty. One of her favorite pleasures was "eating out." Gramma Ruth will be missed but never forgotten.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 16, 2007, in the Palmer Funeral Home, Lakeville. Rev. Ed Erskin will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. today, February 15th, in the Palmer Funeral Home, Lakeville. The family would like to express their gratitude for great care received while at Hospice House. Contributions in memory of Ruth A. Wiegand may be made to Hospice House, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; or to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674.