Ruth Elaine Damm

Ruth Elaine Damm, 97, of Bay Port, passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at the Huron Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe.

Ruth was born November 17, 1927 in Pigeon, the daughter of the late Wesley & Pearl (Geiger) Kretzschmer. She graduated from Pigeon High School with the class of 1945 and furthered her studies at the Bay City Business College. She worked for several years in the teletype department at Dow in Midland until her marriage to Frederick (Fritz) Damm on July 8, 1950 at the Pigeon Salem E.U.B. Church. She and Fritz farmed and raised their family near Bay Port and were active members of the Pigeon First United Methodist Church. Ruth centered her entire life around family and was always available to babysit her beloved grandchildren. She spent many years assisting her husband on the farm and handling the bookkeeping, a job that fit her meticulous nature. In her spare time, Ruth enjoyed gardening, sewing, cooking, camping, and in her earlier years, square dancing. In her later years, she frequented the Pigeon Library and was an avid reader. Ruth and Fritz spent many years wintering in Florida where family was always welcome to visit and enjoy a grouper sandwich.

Ruth is survived by four children and their spouses, Susan (Arlin) Herford of Cass City, Marcia Wolfe of Elkton, Linda (Bill) Bruce of Unionville, and David (Carrie) Damm of Bay Port; eight grandchildren, Ryan (Shelli) Herford of Cass City, Scott (Gina) Herford of Vicksburg, Kurt (Alyssa) Jurek of Lenox Township, Chancey (Correy) Wolfe of Raleigh, North Carolina, Brandon (Christina) Bruce of Unionville, Keith (Katie) Bruce of Caro, Brad (Christi) Damm of Littleton, Colorado, and Kaycee (Cody) Kunz of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; twenty-two great-grandchildren, Kate, Brad, Connor, Lane, Jack, Finn, Memphis, Knox, Jude, Lincoln, Rowan, Tatum, Jackson, Allie, Blake, Brystal, Evelyn, Clara, Juliet, Eli, Korinne, and Chloe; brother, Leon (special friend, Priscilla) Kretzschmer of Caseville; sister, Carol (Ray) Ruszala of Midland; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Otto of Sand Point and Karen Story of Bay City; brother-in-law, Roger Damm of Gregory; and many nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Damm in 2005; infant son, William Frederick in 1952; son-in-law, David Wolfe; brothers, Harold, Dale, and LeRoy Kretzschmer; and sisters, Joyce Dietzel and Janet Kretzschmer.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 21, 2025 at the Pigeon First United Methodist Church with Rev. David Leineke officiating. Burial will follow later in the day at Grand Lawn Cemetery in Pigeon. Visitation will be 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the church on Friday.

Memorials may be made to the Pigeon First United Methodist Church or Scheurer Hospital Auxiliary.