Ruth Lechleiter, 87, Breckenridge, MN

Ruth Lechleiter, 87, of rural Breckenridge, died Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008, at St. Francis Healthcare Campus in Breckenridge.

Ruth was born March 31, 1920 on the farm near Kent, the daughter of Frank and Gail (Grovum) Merrick. She went to elementary school at Kent, and graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1937.

Ruth went on to receive a degree in elementary education from Moorhead State Teachers College and became a teacher. She taught in rural schools near Breckenridge, Wolverton, Foxhome and Tintah.

On June 17, 1947, Ruth married Donald Lechleiter at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Kent. The couple made their home on the farm southeast of Breckenridge, where they lived for the next 60 years.

Ruth enjoyed being a farmer's wife, raising her children and helping with her grandchildren.

Ruth was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and Guild and was a Eucharistic Minister. She was also a member of Christian Mothers and the Catholic Order of Foresters.

When her children were young, Ruth was a 4-H leader and a member of the homemakers club. Later in her life, Ruth again used her teaching skills volunteering to teach adults to read. She also enjoyed baking pies, playing the organ and piano, reading, and loved growing flowers. Ruth found her joy in being with and helping her family, friends and neighbors.

She is survived by her husband, Donald Lechleiter of rural Breckenridge; her children, Linda (Allen) Korinek of Breckenridge, Jean (Michael) Shacklette of Baltimore, Md., Jim (Patricia Camacho) Lechleiter, San Antonio, Texas, John (Josephine) Lechleiter of Gloucester, Mass.; Kathleen Lechleiter (Rolf Haarstad), Baltimore, Md.; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Gail Merrick; two brothers, Richard “Dick” Merrick and Donald “Buck” Merrick; two sisters, Alice Merrick (in infancy), and Grace Boutiette.

Visitation: Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m., with a Christian Mothers Rosary at 5 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home, and from 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Monday, at the funeral home Service: 10:30 a.m. Monday, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Breckenridge

Clergy: Father Kenneth Popp

Burial: St. Mary's Cemetery, Breckenridge

Funeral Home: Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge

Condolences: www.josephvertinandsons.com