Ruth Esther Irma (Albrecht) Meyer

Ruth Esther Irma (nee Albrecht) Meyer, 94, of Red Wing MN, died on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at her home with loving family and friends around her.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward.” (Ps. 127:3) Ruth was God’s gift to Christian and Clara (Mundinger) Albrecht, born on August 1, 1929 in McNary Arizona. Soon after, she was reborn as a child of God by baptism.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6) Being a “pastor’s kid”, Ruth spent her childhood and teenage years in a number of locations and homes. The first was the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, where her father was a missionary to the White Mountain tribe. When she was still preschool age, the family moved to Minnesota and established a home with a Johnson MN congregation. During her high school years, home was Glenwood MN; and during college, rural Goodhue MN was home.

“Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.” (Prov. 4:5) Ruth took advantage of opportunities for Christian education in each home. She confirmed her baptismal faith at Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Johnson MN, in 1943. She made a new home at Dr. Martin Luther High School in New Ulm MN, graduating in 1947. During her time at school in New Ulm, Ruth developed and used her God-given talents as a cheerleader, writer on the school newspaper, first chair clarinetist in the band, multi-year Tour Choir alto, and organist. After high school, she trained for one year as a nurse at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis MN. Following this, she trained as a teacher on an accelerated program at Dr. Martin Luther College, helping to relieve a teacher shortage by receiving a certificate and divine call in 1951.

“Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (I Thess. 2:15) Ruth made a new home in Caledonia MN, fulfilling her call to teach elementary grades at St. John’s Lutheran School. She also served as one of the church organists, and sang in the church choir.

“Who can find a virtuous (excellent) wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.” (Prov. 31:10-12) Ruth’s childhood had been spent in rural areas, and she always hoped to marry a farmer! God provided such a husband for her when she was married to Milton Meyer on July 15, 1953, at Grace Lutheran Church in Goodhue MN. Her father, who had also baptized and confirmed her, performed the ceremony. They made their new home on the Meyer farm in rural Caledonia.

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” (Prov. 31:26-28) Milt and Ruth’s marriage was blessed with 7 children. Their home was maintained with hard work, consistency, and prayer; and was filled with fun and laughter, music, and devotion to the Lord. Ruth grew a large garden, canned and froze vegetables and fruits, sewed and mended clothing, baked and cooked tasty meals, and helped with farm work as needed. She taught piano lessons to her children, and used her needlework skills for gifts, especially to her family. She was devoted to keeping her family healthy, to making a home for them, and to tending and keeping the good earth where God had placed her. When the family found a new church home at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Onalaska WI, Ruth resumed playing organ for church services, and served as one of the teachers of the children’s Saturday School religious instruction.

“I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.” (Ps. 37:25) When they retired from farming, Milt and Ruth moved to a new home in the town of Caledonia. Ruth had been a caregiver for her mother as she grew older, and then became caregiver for her husband as his health failed. When he died, Ruth moved to a new home in Red Wing MN. There, she was blessed with generally good health, interesting activities to enjoy, wonderful fellowship and spiritual care through her new church home, and nearness to family.

“My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Ps. 84:2) Over the last years, Ruth had some health setbacks. Throughout, the Lord provided faithful family and a very caring health care companion in her home, as well as concerned church friends and uplifting pastoral care. Ruth truly waited patiently for the Lord to take her to her final, eternal Home. On Tuesday evening, October 10, 2023, He welcomed her peacefully into that Home, clothing her in the righteousness of Jesus Christ her Savior.

Ruth’s time in her various earthly homes was 94 years, 2 months, and 9 days fashioned, guided, preserved, and blessed by God. Her days in her heavenly home will be without number in His presence. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” (Ps. 116:15)

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Milton in 2011; a daughter, Bernice Abbott in 2002; a sister, Caroline Albrecht in infancy; brothers-in-law Edwin Schmelzer, Lloyd Meyer, and Robert Stock; sisters-in-law Marjorie Meyer and Irene Stock; and son-in-law Gene Schreyer.

Surviving Ruth and awaiting reunion at Home in heaven are her children, Marie Meyer of Zumbrota MN, Grace Schreyer of Mankato MN, John (Linda) Meyer of Stewartville MN, Lois (Carlston) McKenzie of Brooklyn Park MN, Dorothy (James) Abbott of Skykomish WA, and Paul (Cheryl) Meyer of Eau Claire WI; son-in-law John (Wendy) Abbott of Phoenix AZ; a sister, Chrysta Schmelzer of Jackson WI; 18 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, 11 step-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and friends and caregivers.

Ruth’s family offers great appreciation to her Comfort Keepers and St. Croix Hospice caregivers; with special loving thanks to Tricia Finch-Yanz, who was Ruth’s primary care provider, and her friend and companion for the last 3 years.

The Victory service will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, 1534 West Avenue, Red Wing MN, with visitation 1 hour before the service at the church; a meal will follow the service at The Bluffs in nearby Hager City WI. Burial will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, Caledonia MN. Mahn (Red Wing) and Fredrickson (Caledonia) Funeral Homes are handling arrangements.