Ruth Degenhardt

Ruth Catherine Degenhardt, 96, of Cape Girardeau passed away Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, at The Lutheran Home.

She was born Aug. 6, 1921, in Granite City, Illinois, to the Rev. Frederick O. and Hulda Schaefer Rothe.

Her family moved to St. Louis when she was 5 years old. She graduated from Beaumont High School and then Lutheran Medical Center School of Nursing.

She married Gilbert Degenhardt on Aug. 21, 1943.

As a registered nurse, Ruth’s career spanned 60 years and included experience in numerous specialties in hospitals and physician offices from St. Louis to Cape Girardeau. In 1986, she retired from Southeast Hospital and continued in other nursing capacities for another 10 years. In 2006, she received a certificate from the Missouri State Board of Nursing for her extensive years of faithful service.

Active in church and community service, Ruth participated in Stephen Ministry, choir, Meals on Wheels and the FISH Food Pantry. She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel.

Loving survivors include her daughter, Daryl Keppler of Cape Girardeau, and her son, Craig Degenhardt of Atlanta; as well as her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 2010, two sisters and a brother.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Saturday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Weston Wildauer officiating.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel or to the family.

Online condolence messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.

Announcement courtesy of McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.