Ruth (Nussdorfer) Ponticell

Ruth K. (Nussdorfer) Ponticell of New Era, age 92, passed away on August 18, 2018.  She was born on June 26, 1926 to Otto and Isabel Nussdorfer of New Era.  On September 18, 1948, she married Louis P. Ponticell of Chicago.  He preceded her in death on February 6, 2006.  They had no children.

Ruth left her home in Michigan at the age of 18 to study at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Chicago to become a Registered Nurse.  She went on to get her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing at Loyola University.

Ruth had an interesting nursing career with positions as Staff Nurse to Assistant Administrator/Director of Nursing in hospitals in the Chicago area.  Ruth was sent with a group from Lutheran General Hospital to East Africa to experience ways the hospital could give guidance and direction to others.  Ruth had the opportunity to help close her school hospital and to open a new hospital, Good Shepherd in Barrington, Illinois.

Ruth had been a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Wauconda, IL before transferring her membership back to Trinity Lutheran Church of New Era where she was a member in childhood.  After retirement, Ruth was very involved with volunteer programs at the church.

Ruth’s brother, W. Robert Nussdorfer of Muskegon preceded her in death in 2008.  His wife, Ann, died in 2016.

Ruth’s sister, Ann Schmiedeknecht lives at Stony Lake, Michigan.  Ann’s husband, Paul L. Schmiedeknecht died in 2007.

Other survivors include nieces and nephews – Terry (Laura) Nussdorfer of Bellingham, Washington, Susan Hill of Portland, MI, Pamela (Bob) Hall of Muskegon, Paul (Lori) Schmiedeknecht of New Era, Kim (Tim) Kostelnik of Westland, MI, Kelly (Ed) Stehouwer of Muskegon, Jane (Drew) Eubanks of Phoenix, AZ, Paul (Leslie) Ponticell of Chicago, IL, and many great-nieces and great-nephews.  Also Jon Myrmel, first cousin, caretaker and friend, and special caretakers, Liz Casebolt and Barbara Brinkman.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, August 21st at 1 pm at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 8th at 11 am at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Sarah Samuelson officiating.  A luncheon will follow. Memorials should be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry, 5631 W. Stony Lake Road, New Era, MI  49446. 

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