There is no mistaking how happy Herman Glaess appears in his Aug. 5, 1950, wedding photo. He just married the most beautiful woman in the world.
Looking at Ruth Glaess, when she married at 22, is to wonder why she wasn’t in Hollywood. Instead, Ruth created a family. She essentially had triplets with Anita (Batts) born in November of 1951 followed by the twins, Marian (Brosig) and Mark Glaess 13 months later. Herm and Ruth’s early years were spent in Detroit then to Seward, where Herm became a Professor of Education. Ruth worked at J.C. Penny’s.
We adored her, as did Lori (Scarlett) who came along some 11 years later. We made our Mom macaroni bracelets, crepe paper streamers, constructed pictures and Marian, drawing on the adjacent cemetery bounty, gave Ruth flowers. Yet, it didn’t approximate the love, advice, affection, comfort and baked goods Ruthie, as Herm called her, provided us.
Our parents lived a wonderful life. In the very hard times, they were reminded that God always provides. The long and happy life they had showed abundance by His provisions.
Ruth was born in Detroit on Feb. 10, 1928, to Lena and John Bruckner. Ruth graduated from Northwestern High School and upon graduation was a service representative for Michigan Bell. Later, Ruth worked her Lutheran faith at Concordia College and then the Southern District of the Missouri Synod. To that church work, Ruth volunteered for Stevens Ministry and counted money for St. John Lutheran Church. She also played cards, lots of cards, all the while befriending so many, many people.
Herm passed away Aug. 8, 2009. A great light in Ruth and the children’s life dimmed. Now, that light is gone with Ruth’s passing April 29, 2023, at the age of 95 years.
Ruth is survived by her children’s spouses (Cameron Scarlett, Debbie Glaess, Fred Sharpe); four children; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren and remembered with great fondness and affection by the greater Seward and Concordia community.
Our memory, and perhaps as is true for you, of this great beauty who was even more beautiful as a wife, mama and friend. Ruth Glaess was one of our greatest blessings and for that, and for her long, long life, we are so grateful to our Heavenly Father where Ruth now resides.
Visitation is Thursday, May 4, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church. A memorial service is at 10:30 a.m. at the church with a private family inurnment and graveside service planned. In lieu of flowers; memorial contributions are subbested to the St. John Lutheran Church Foundation or the Herman Glaess Leadership Endowment Fund at Concordia University. Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
