Ruth Peterson Obituary

Ruth Joan Peterson

September 5, 1933 - December 5, 2023

Former Hospice of Burke County Nurse Coordinator.

Devoted mother, wife, and child of God. Born September 5, 1933, to the late Louis and Anna Limbrunner in Chicago, Illinois, Ruth lived the last nine years of her life in Statham, Georgia. She passed away December 5, 2023, at the Athens Heritage Nursing Home in Athens, Georgia. In addition to Ruth's parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Robert John Peterson.

Ruth grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and attended the University of Illinois-Chicago Nursing School. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1957. After graduation, Ruth worked as a registered nurse in the Chicago area until raising and supporting her family became her lifelong passion. Ruth married her husband Robert on October 6, 1956, and their first child was born in 1957.

Robert and Ruth lived in several locations throughout their lives in addition to Chicago. Robert's career as an architect took them to Des Plaines, Illinois (1957-72), Fish Creek, Wisconsin (1972-79), and Morganton, North Carolina (1979-2014). In retirement, the couple moved to Statham, Georgia in 2014. No matter where they lived, they enjoyed visiting national parks and taking care of their beloved dogs.

At all of those communities, Ruth focused on her family and serving those in most need. A tireless volunteer, she served meals at the Burke United Christian Ministries Soup Kitchen in Morganton, NC from 1985-2014. Also in Morganton, Ruth served as the Hospice of Burke County Nurse Coordinator from 1982-84 and served as a volunteer hospice nurse for the same organization for over 20 years. Her efforts to serve the Morganton community earned her a Burkes Best Volunteer Award in 1992 and a State of North Carolina Outstanding Volunteer Service Award in 2003.

Ruth's faith in her Lord Jesus Christ was the rock that she always stood on. She was a member of five Lutheran churches during her life: Park View in Chicago, IL, Trinity in Des Plaines, IL, St. Paul's in Fish Creek, WI, Calvary in Morganton, NC, and Trinity in Athens, GA. Ruth was heavily involved at every congregation, serving on numerous church committees and singing in choirs for over 50 years. She was a beloved member of each church and a servant of Christ before all else.

Ruth is survived by siblings Dorothy (Cullars), Martha (Malave), and John Limbrunner. She is also survived by her three children and their spouses, Lynn (Mack Blankenship), Perry (Denise), and Matthew (Lisa), eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

A celebration of Ruth's life will be held by her family at a later date in the mountains of North Carolina, which she dearly loved.