Ruth A. Bauer, age 77, of Monroe, MI, passed away Friday, December 12, 2008 in her home surrounded by her loving family. Ruth had been ill for 9 months and courageously fought pancreatic cancer. Ruth was born January 2, 1931 in Cleveland, OH the daughter of the late Alfred and Dorothy (Stoffel) Schaab. In 1947 Ruth graduated from Ypsilanti High School in Ypsilanti, MI. On August 14, 1954 in Ann Arbor, Ruth married her beloved husband Llewell "Lee" C. Bauer. Sadly he preceded her in death on July 23, 1997 after almost 43 years of marriage. While living in Monroe Ruth worked as a key punch operator for Monroe Auto Equipment for 25 years. Ruth and Lee then moved to Florida where she worked as a branch manager for the First Federal Bank of Englewood in Englewood, FL. Upon their return to Monroe Ruth went to work as a sales clerk for Sears for 10 years. Ruth was a member of Christ Evangelical Church in Monroe and enjoyed golfing, gardening and family. Ruth loved to watch her granddaughter dance, attending many dance competitions for Haja Dance Studio where she was known as "Grandma Ruth" to the dancers. Ruth is survived by her 2 loving daughters; Debra L. (Joe) Gerber of Monroe and Sharon K. Bauer of the Outer Banks of NC, 4 treasured grandchildren; John Lee Belvin, Jamie Leigh Belvin, Brianna Joy Lacy and Cody Lacy, 1 cherished great granddaughter; Sydney Abigail Belvin, and 2 sisters; Carol D. (Charles) Patterson of Venice, FL and Phyllis M. (Eugene) Mills of Cape Coral, FL. In addition to her parents and husband Ruth was preceded in death by her brother Richard Schaab and a sister Jeanne Newman. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1-8 PM in the Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd. in Monroe, where funeral services celebrating her life will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, December 15, 2008. The Rev. Dennis Bux pastor of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church will officiate. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. The family has suggested memorial donations be given to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network –
www.pancan.org
- or to a Hospice of the donor's choice.