Ruth M. Miller, age 98, passed away at The Boscobel Area Health Care on Tuesday evening, May 22, 2012.
Ruth was born on November 19, 1913, on a farm in Marion Township, the second oldest child of Frank and Bertha (Brechler) Beattie.  She was raised in a large family.  She attended The Miller School and was baptized and confirmed at The Marion Evangelical Lutheran Church.
On February 19, 1946, she married Ralph Miller at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Boscobel.  Ralph preceded her in death on August 9, 1987.  While she did not have any children, she was beloved by her nieces and nephews and many friends.  Among her dear friends were her neighbors, Bob and Linda Loomis, who made it possible for her to stay in her own home until three days before her death.  
Ruth worked in the Boscobel High School cafeteria from 1961 until the early 1980s.  She also was employed for a few years in food service at The Boscobel Hospital.   She was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Ruth loved baking and sweets.  She would make wonderful plates of cookies and bars to share at Christmas.  She kept an immaculate home and had a knack for decorating.  She enjoyed tending to her flowers and grew some spectacular lilies and clemantis.  In her later years she enjoyed visitors and watching the birds.  She kept up with current trends and had a flat screen TV.  She enjoyed watching “Dancing With The Stars”. Even though her body was failing, her mind remained sharp.

Ruth was the last surviving member of her large family.  For her nieces and nephews, her passing marks the end-of-an-era.  For family and friends, she was the “glue” that held everyone together…..the common denominator.
  
Ruth is survived by her sister-in-law, Shirley Beattie, Boscobel;  three nephews , Robert “Bud” Mertz, Fennimore,  John Beattie, Dodgeville, Duane Schultz, Geneva, IL (Duck Key, FL); two nieces, Jean Roth, Boscobel; and Debra (Dale) Breggeman, DeForest; she is survived further by numerous great nieces and nephews, along with many great-great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, her parents, two sisters, Edna Mertz and Dorothy Kreul; eight brothers, Walter, Charles, Albert, Raymond, Frank, Fred, Ralph “Toby”, and Kenneth, along with five infant siblings.  She was also preceded in death by her nephew, Frank Beattie, and her great-nephew, Jeremiah Roth.A sister and brother in laws Art and Lillian Schultz. a Niece Marilyn (Nauert) Skarsten.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday May 25, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Boscobel. Pastor Charles Koester officiating. Burial in the Boscobel Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday May 25, 2012 from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at St. John's Lutheran Church in Boscobel. On line condolence can be sent to www.kendallfuneralservice.com