PIERRE — Ruth Ann Johnson,85, of Pierre passed away Saturday, April 20, 2019, at Mary House after a brief illness.
Funeral Service will take place at 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, at the Pierre First United Methodist Church with interment following in Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Blunt.Visitation will be held 5 to 7 p.m. this evening at the church with an Eastern Star and Prayer Service at 7 p.m.
Ruth Ann was born May 26, 1933, in Huron to Paul Henry and Hazel Leona (Atz) Schumacher, the oldest of four daughters. She grew up on the family farm three miles west of Iroquois along U.S. Highway 14. She attended school in Iroquois and graduated as valedictorian in 1951. She then attended Huron College and graduated in the spring of 1953 with a two year teacher degree. Her first teaching job was at Oldham. Following that, she taught school in Miller. There, on a blind date she met a U.S. Marine, Gerald Johnson, who was home on leave. They were married June 26, 1955, at the Iroquois Methodist Church to begin their life together, settling in Blunt. While in Blunt, Ruth Ann continued to teach school until their third child arrived at which time she became a full-time mother and homemaker. They lived in Blunt until 1991, when they moved to Pierre.
She was a lifelong member in the Methodist Church of Iroquois, Blunt and Pierre, along with the ladies circles of the churches, neighborhood bridge club, and PTO in the Blunt and Sully Buttes schools. She was active for over 60 years in Rising Sun Chapter #86 of the Order of Eastern Star. She served as Worthy Matron several times along with other offices over the years.
She loved her family; being a mother to her children, a grandmother and great-grandmother. Most especially, being a life partner to her husband, Gerald, for nearly 64 years. She was an excellent homemaker and caretaker and will be long remembered for her delicious pies.
Ruth is survived by and greatly missed by her husband, Gerald; son, Gary (Carol) of Fort Pierre; daughter, Paula (Ken) Barber of Onida; six grandchildren, Kimberly Terca, Gerad (Allison) Johnson, Kennen (Chad) Ensz, Dr. David Terca, G. Andy (Emily) Johnson, Linden (Justin) Hiller; and three great- grandchildren, Grayden A. Johnson, Maci Ann Johnson, and Gibson A. Johnson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her three sisters, Mary Kay, Jeanie, and Darlene; and in May 2002, her daughter, Barbara (Beaba) Terca.
The Family would like to thank the wonderful Hospice caregivers and Mary House staff for the care she received during her final days.
Memorials may be directed to Countryside Hospice in Pierre or The Eastern Star Home in Redfield.
Condolences may be conveyed to the family
at www.feigumfh.com.
Paid Obituary
