Ruth L. Habel

Ruth L. Habel , 101, of Decatur, Indiana and former longtime resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at Adams Woodcrest in Decatur.

She was born on Friday, February 23, 1917 in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin the daughter of the late Albert Meske and the late Emillie (Rohloff) Meske. She married Harry A. Habel on June 30, 1939 at her parent’s home at Rock Bottom Farm in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Harry preceded her in death on May 24, 2000.

Ruth graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1935. She was a homemaker and had worked as an executive secretary at Lutheran Hospital until 1972. Shortly after moving to Fort Wayne, she had also worked at Henderson Furniture in Fort Wayne.

She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne and had been active in the Ladies Aid, Altar Guild, & the Quilters Group. Her belief in education was shown by her volunteerism at the St. Paul Lutheran School for many years and in many capacities.

Ruth enjoyed quilting, gardening, needlework, and was a devoted mother and grandmother.

Survivors include her son, Dr. Michael (Marcie) Habel of Decatur; daughter, Pamela (Dale) Dettmer of Merritt Island, FL; sister, Marian Gruenewald of Hartland, WI; six grandchildren, Emily Wood, Ryan (Tara) Dettmer, Erin (Joseph) Prokop, Ben (Susan Case) Habel, Sara Blakeney, & Andrew (Erin) Habel; & 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by six brothers, Harvey Meske, William Meske, Albert Meske, Bernard Meske, Harold Meske, and Frank Meske and two sisters, Madelene Westfall and Elda Schmidt.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at St. Paul Lutheran Church located at 1126 South Barr Street in Fort Wayne with Rev. Chad Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the Concordia Cemetery Gardens in Fort Wayne.

Friends will be received from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, May 7, 2018 at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur. (There will not be visitation prior to the services on Tuesday at the church.)

In lieu of flowers, Ruth's family would ask that memorials be given to St. Paul Endowment Fund.