Ruth Aufdenberg

Ruth Alyne Allen Aufdenberg, 94, of Jackson passed away Sunday, March 17, 2024, while surrounded by her loving family.

She was born Nov. 1, 1929, in Burfordville to Ray and Rhoda Johnson Allen. She and Walter R. Aufdenberg were married Sept. 13, 1947, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit. They raised eight children on their farm near Oriole. They were married for 53 years before Walter preceded her in death June 30, 2001.

Along with working on the farm, Ruth worked at the hosiery mill in Jackson, Florsheim Shoe in Cape Girardeau and retired from Procter & Gamble after 18 years of service.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Egypt Mills, where she was able to serve using her gifts of cooking, baking and crafting.

She enjoyed woodworking, gardening, sewing, cooking and crafting, making rocking horses, children’s rocking chairs, piecing quilt tops, embroidering and ensuring each family member had his favorite food or dessert. She adored her family, and she attended every sporting event, recital, graduation, birthday or activity in her grandchildren’s lives.

Survivors include seven children, Kenneth Walter (Rita) Aufdenberg of Cape Girardeau, Johnie Ray Aufdenberg of Jackson, Richard Louis Aufdenberg of Jackson, Kathy Jane (Bob) Wagner of Jackson, Tammy Jo (Stan) Lueders of Knoxville, Tennessee, Sandra Lee (David) Smith of Jackson and Angela Maria Christine (Vince) Boren of Jackson; brother, Michael (Barbara) Allen of Imperial; grandchildren, Chad (Stacy) Lucas, Tasha Williams, Daniel (Courtney) Aufdenberg, Michael (Sarah) Aufdenberg, Andrew (Bethany) Wagner, Brianna (Talon) Brown, Brandon (fiancee, Disneyda Martinez) Lueders, Allison (Chris) Caines, Jordan (Zachary) McDowell, Taylor (Beau) Brady, Shanda Boren, Kailen Boren, R.V. (fiancee, Erin Trankle) Boren, Robbie Meyers, Sarah (Casey) Cook and Samantha Murphy; great-grandchildren, Destinee and Cameron Williams, Evan (Logun), Brayden and Nathanial Aufdenberg, Brendon and Ashlee Johnson, Lara (Caleb) Hargarten, Lola Wagner, Wyatt Brown, Matthew and Erik Caines, Judah, baby brother McDowell and Lane Brady, Adeline, Ainsley and Aliza Cook, Mckinna and Cullen Murphy, Jaxon and Jameson Boren and Brody Trankle; and great-great-grandchildren, Loyer Aufdenberg, Mariana and Sophia Johnson.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Jacqueline S. Lucas; five brothers, James, Murel, Milford, Darrel and Larry Allen; sister, Geneva Maxine Maevers; and granddaughter, Christen Joyel Aufdenberg.

Friends and family may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church of Egypt Mills, with Vicar Rick Ronsick officiating. Ruth will be laid to rest beside her husband at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery in Egypt Mills.

Memorial contributions may be given to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be sent at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.