Ruether

Bertha Jean Ruether, 81, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2020.

Bertha Jean (Jasek) Ruether was born on Jan. 20, 1939 to Henry Emil Jasek and Sophie Bertha (Kurtzmann) Jasek. Bertha graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1957, and later met the love of her life, Leroy Raymond Ruether, at a wedding reception. They were married July 21, 1957 at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, in Fayetteville, and were married for 63 years. While raising kids and grandchildren, Bertha worked full-time at Consolidated Smoke House in La Grange, Golden Crisp in La Grange, as well as the La Grange meat market. She enjoyed gardening and keeping up with her friends on the phone. She was also known for her meals, including her homemade noodles and famous apple strudel. Her children and grandchildren recount there always being a large pot of soup on the stove, ready for visitors. Bertha loved planning parties of all kinds, always the first to volunteer to pull family gatherings and celebrations together.

Bertha is preceded in death by her parents: father, Henry Emil Jasek and mother, Sophie Bertha (Kurtzmann) Jasek; inlaws, Angeline and Jerome Ruether; sister, Angeline and Herman Dowell of Houston; Levine and Toxie Schmidt of Houma, Lousiana; Ivy Dell and James Curry of Houston; Geraldine and Henry Blum of California; Celestine and Bill Widackie of Houston; and Esther and Edias Touchet of New Iberia, La.; brothers, Baby Henry Jasek; and Jerome and Agnes Jasek; her son-in-law, Ralph J. Goerig; her granddaughter, Donna Goerig, one great-grandaughter, as well as several in-laws.

Bertha is survived by her husband of 63 years, Leroy Raymond Ruether; her daughters, Catherine Goerig of La Grange; Carol Smith of Willow Springs; Sharon and Rex Garcia of La Grange; Esther and Darrell Kelley of Round Top; her sons, Thomas and Tracy Ruether of La Grange; and Jerry and Lisa Ruether of Flatonia; her sisters, Irene Michaisky of La Grange, as well as Gloria and Eddie Barta of Flatonia; her grandchildren, Joan Malota; Ronnie Goerig; David Goerig; Raymond Glass; Becky Glass; Delaney Ruether; Asa Smith; Michelle Smith; Robert Smith; Blake Garcia; Emily Kelley; Dana Kelley; and Zachary Ruether; as well as 17 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held Jan. 7, 2021 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Fayette Memorial Funeral Home in La Grange.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 at 10 a.m. at Fayette Memorial Funeral Chapel with interment to follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Fayetteville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of South Texas, or the American Diabetes Association.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fayette Memorial Funeral Home in La Grange.