Submitted by: Dan Rich

Ruth E. Willemin

Feb. 25, 1921 - Aug. 17, 2008

South Bend Tribune 8/19/2008
SOUTH BEND - Ruth E. Willemin, 87, passed away at 7:30 a.m. Sunday in Dujarie House at Holy Cross Village. Ruth was born February 25, 1921, in Culver, IN, to Edward and Helen Epler, who preceded her in death. On February 17, 1943, she married Richard D. Willemin, who also preceded her in death. Surviving are four sons, Vincent, Matthew, Michael (Daryl) and Mark (Jayme). Ruth was a grandmother to 10 grandchildren, Jennifer (Mike) Kajzer of Indianapolis, Bethanie (Brian) Wrobleski, Roger, Rachel, Anthony, Bridget and Megan Willemin of South Bend. Other grandchildren are Jake and Monica Willemin of Elmhurst, IL, Brian Willemin of Durango, CO, and Mary Willemin of Granger. There are two great-grandchildren, Mina Shae Willemin of Durango, CO, and Alex Kajzer of Indianapolis. Ruth gave much of her life to volunteering. For many years she served on the South Bend Symphony Orchestra Ticket Committee, working with her very good friend, Liz Cullity. She also worked at St. Augustine's Catholic Parish Soup Kitchen, faithfully volunteering, at least once a week, for more than two decades. She was an active member of the Ladies of Notre Dame and served as its president. For a decade or more she regularly drove cancer patients to and from their treatment appointments. Ruth worked for the Cleland School, serving with the founder and very good friend, Molly Bernard, before it became known as Stanley Clark School. For several years Ruth and her husband, Richard, co-chaired the CCD/Religious Education Program at Sacred Heart Parish on the Notre Dame campus. One of the joys of her life was the "Bridge Club" that met monthly for over 50 years. The members of the "Bridge Club" became close, lifelong friends and included Molly Bernard, Lou Ann Bullard, Betty Ann True, Roberta "Bobby" Hill, Marge Thorson, Mary Schilling, Betty Lynch and Loretta Downs. Her other joys included a monthly dinner club, a mixed bridge club, the arts and reading.

Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22nd, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame campus. Interment will be at Cedar Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, in the HICKEY Funeral Home, 17131 Cleveland Road, where a short wake service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sacred Heart Parish Center, c/o 104 The Presbytery, Notre Dame, IN 46556.