1922
Ruth
2011
Ruth Virginia Mead
February 20, 1922 — May 7, 2011
Grand Marais
Ruth Virginia Mead, age 89, of Grand Marais, Michigan, died peacefully Saturday, May 7, 2011 in her home, surrounded by her family.
Ruth was born on February 20, 1922, in Grand Marais, the twelfth child of Axel and Helen (Lumppio) Newberg.
As 1940 graduate of Grand Marais High School, Ruth later served as a member of the Waves, stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station near Chicago during World War II. On September 25, 1948 she married Frank Mead, and together they raised four children and were active members of the Grand Marais community. Ruth served as a 4-H leader, a community organizer for parades, plays, and notable events, and a co-founder of the Grand Marais Historical Society. She was also a long-standing member of the Grand Marais United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school, played piano and sang in the choir.
A lifelong learner, Ruth was an avid reader with a particular interest in art, history, music, and Biblical studies. At the age of 50, she went on to college and in 1976 graduated from Northern Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in Sociology/Anthropology. Ruth was known for her love of birds and flowers and for her beautiful garden. Along with her many artistic and musical talents, she had a unique charm, a ready wit, and a compassionate and generous nature. Ruth frequently contributed to social causes and charities serving poor and disadvantaged children and families throughout the world.
She is survived by her husband Frank and her four children: Philip Timothy (Marjorie Decker) of Concord, NH; Katherine Alice (Robert Alexander) of Madison, WI; Jonathan Stanley (Barb Minor) of Escanaba, MI; and Andrea Mary (Ralph Broerman) of Green Bay, WI; six grandchildren (Jessica, Sarah, Adam, Erica, Laura and Benjamin), one great-grandchild (Duccio), many nieces and nephews, and her sister Katherine Picel.
Ruth touched the lives of many people and will be sorely missed. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Marais United Methodist Church. Visitation will be on Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. with Ruth's funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Grand Marais. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Ruth Virginia Mead, age 89, of Grand Marais, Michigan, died peacefully Saturday, May 7, 2011 in her home, surrounded by her family.
Ruth was born on February 20, 1922, in Grand Marais, the twelfth child of Axel and Helen (Lumppio) Newberg.
As 1940 graduate of Grand Marais High School, Ruth later served as a member of the Waves, stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station near Chicago during World War II. On September 25, 1948 she married Frank Mead, and together they raised four children and were active members of the Grand Marais community. Ruth served as a 4-H leader, a community organizer for parades, plays, and notable events, and a co-founder of the Grand Marais Historical Society. She was also a long-standing member of the Grand Marais United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school, played piano and sang in the choir.
A lifelong learner, Ruth was an avid reader with a particular interest in art, history, music, and Biblical studies. At the age of 50, she went on to college and in 1976 graduated from Northern Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in Sociology/Anthropology. Ruth was known for her love of birds and flowers and for her beautiful garden. Along with her many artistic and musical talents, she had a unique charm, a ready wit, and a compassionate and generous nature. Ruth frequently contributed to social causes and charities serving poor and disadvantaged children and families throughout the world.
She is survived by her husband Frank and her four children: Philip Timothy (Marjorie Decker) of Concord, NH; Katherine Alice (Robert Alexander) of Madison, WI; Jonathan Stanley (Barb Minor) of Escanaba, MI; and Andrea Mary (Ralph Broerman) of Green Bay, WI; six grandchildren (Jessica, Sarah, Adam, Erica, Laura and Benjamin), one great-grandchild (Duccio), many nieces and nephews, and her sister Katherine Picel.
Ruth touched the lives of many people and will be sorely missed. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Marais United Methodist Church. Visitation will be on Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. with Ruth's funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Grand Marais. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.
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