Ruth Marie Murray Saurer residing at Danbury Senior Living, Wooster, Ohio died April 10, 2020.With respect for family and friends during the current outbreak of Covid 19 virus, the family will have a private burial service. A memorial celebration of Ruth s life will be announced and held at a later date. Kind thoughts and condolences may be mailed to Ruth Saurer Family, 2627 Ann Ct., Wooster, Ohio 44691.
Ruth was born February 14, 1922 to Charles Leo Pop Cutter and Lola Grace Flory Cutter in Franklin Twp. Wayne Co. Ohio. She married Wayne E. Murray in 1942, (Deceased.1972) then married Richard Saurer in 1979, (Deceased 1997). Then shared over 15 years of retirement life with special companion Edward Strnad previously of Florida. Besides her parents and two husbands, Ruth was preceded in death by her brother Richard Cutter.
Ruth and Wayne had six children: Curtis (Peggy) Murray, Big Prairie, Ohio, Neal (Noreen) Murray, Chandler, AZ, Roger (Becky) Murray, Wooster, Ohio, Julia (Bill) Peck, Punta Gorda, FL, Bruce (an infant who died shortly after birth), and Janell Thomas of Dublin, Ohio.
Ruth also was blessed with 14 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren and with several step-children and step grandchildren.
Ruth was further blessed and gifted with the desire, skills, ability, and talents to achieve. She lived a very active, healthy, complete and FULL life and greatly loved her family, friends, many employees and associates in her many vocations and avocations and activities. Long hours and hard work were normal in her farming family when she grew up learning many valuable basic skills and appreciation for life and nature. She went to the Geitgey one room school on the Fredericksburg road, graduated from Apple Creek HS, and attended the College of Wooster where she studied music. After falling in love and marrying Wayne in 1942, she began married life as a homemaker and raising her family. It soon included, some bookkeeping and home office work for Wayne E. Murray and Sons General Contractors. That, not being enough, she was the Choir Directory at St. Peters United Church of Christ and gave music lessons to family and others. As life continued to unfold, the construction business ended in 1961 and her life expanded when they began Westwood Restaurant where her famous Apple Dumpling recipe was born and perfected. Furthermore, the restaurant became the family life and culinary arts training center for many in the family. The restaurant flourished. That not being enough for Ruth and Wayne, they founded Whispering Hills RV Park in 1969 which today is Whispering Hills Jellystone Resort Park 3 miles south of Shreve, Ohio. Wayne passed away in 1972 and Ruth took command and grew the businesses along with her children, grandchildren, then later with second husband Richard.
Ruth also participated in the numerous local community, state, and national associations: She was as a member of local and state restaurant associations, local chambers of commerce, past president of the state campground association and board member of the national campground association, supported several clubs and charities, and even had a real estate license. She was a founding member of Wayne County s and Holmes County s Visitor Bureaus. Ruth was active in the Shreve Business and Community organization and involved in naming and starting the Shreve Migration Sensation program. She had great love and respect for her community.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
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A memorial service will be held at a later date
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Great memories of working with your mom at Westwood and then my daughter worked there in high school too. My condolences to all.
Curt, Peggy and family, very sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. She was a trailblazer in our communities and touched many lives. I know this is a terrible time for you all but Ruth’s life is one to be honored and celebrated. You are all in my prayers.
So sorry for your loss. I remember going to Westwood Restaurant with my grandpa on Sunday afternoons after going for a Sunday drive and working there in the summer in junior high school. She was always smiling
So sorry for your loss. Great memories of Westwood Restaurant and your mother’s Apple Dumplings. My thoughts and prayers going out to the family during this difficult time.
I worked at Westwood Restaurant as a senior in high school (1971-72). I have fond memories of the of my time there. My “supper” was frequently an apple dumpling.
Sorry to hear about Ruth’s passing. She was a beautiful lady who always had a smile!!
Many great memories camping at Whispering Hills & who can forget her awesome Apple Dumplings!!
She’ll be missed by so many!!
Prayers & sympathy for the family.
Peggy,
We are so sorry for your loss. I have very fond memories of camping at the campground as a child and seeing her there. She always had a smile on her face. I remember going to many Apple Dumpling Festivals and she was always there.
Our sympathy and prayers go out to the family. She was always known as the lady who knew how work and get things done. She was a very sweet lady and touched many lives.
To all my cousins and family. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Aunt Ruth always treated me great. Loved playing at your home on oil city road growing up. Be safe and god bless to all.
Such a fitting tribute to an amazing woman! So many good memories of apple dumplings and banana splits after long bike rides on hot summer days. Our condolences to Janell, Roger and the entire family for the loss of your mother. She certainly lived life to the fullest measure.
Aunt Julie, Hali, Amber, Matt and families,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Ruth was such a kind lady and loved her family very much. She was an amazing cook! Always enjoyed eating and hanging out at the restaurant. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
To the Murray family,
Your mother was a great inspiration to so many. I remember her beautiful voice in St. Peters choir, then as director, the yummy apple dumplings with soft ice cream, her lovely smile and her presence at the All Apple Creek High School Reunions. Your father built many beautiful homes including Elaine Arnold’s in 1958.
Curt and Peggy, Roger and Becky…. What a great lady! Many many good memories of her and Westwood Restaurant. Will not forget her. I still feel bad about the one time I got in trouble in the Restaurant. She handled it well. Funny story now. It was indeed an honor to know her! May God continue to bless your family!
Our sympathies to the whole Murray family on the death of your matriarch. May God comfort you during this difficult time. From the Irvin and Coffey families.
Sending my sympathy to my cousins and family. I will always remember her. May God bless you.
My sympathy to all the Murray family. Your mother was such a special lady and always had that beautiful smile. Always a treat to see her at the reunions. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Very sorry for the loss of this wonderful, down to earth, kind, ambitious woman. Peace to the whole family, far and near. What a wonderful read, celebrating a well lived life!
To all Ruth’s children – Curtis, Neal, Roger, Julia, Janell – whom I knew when I worked at Westwood; and also to Becky, our next-door neighbor back then: It has been many years, but I have fond memories of you all. I am very sorry for your loss. She clearly lived her life to the fullest, and I hope you have many loving memories to bring you comfort.
Ruth was a very important person to me in my childhood. I will remember her fondly.