Ruth Marie Kliethermes McDaniel, 89, Linn, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, at Gasconade Manor Nursing Home in Owensville.
She was born Oct. 16, 1933, to the late Andrew and Cecilia (Luebbert) Kliethermes in Linn.
She was united in marriage to Mervin McDaniel Oct. 3, 1953, at St. George Catholic Church in Linn.
Ruth attended St. George Catholic School and graduated from Linn High School in 1951.
She was employed with Legends Bank (Linn State Bank) and did record keeping for Joe Boes’ Tire for several years. In 2001, Ruth retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 30 years of service.
She and Merv made Linn their home after a few years in North Carolina and St. Charles.
She was an active parishioner at St. George Catholic Church, serving on the parish council in the 1970s, St. Ann’s Sodality and the quilting group. After retirement, she cleaned the church until her health no longer allowed it.
A person grounded by her Catholic faith, Ruth was a role model to her nieces and nephews and provided love and direction to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her unyielding faith is validated in a comment from her nephew, Rev. James Dubrouillet, who shared this when she was named St. George Distinguished Alum several years ago, “Ruth was the first family member to suggest that I enter the priesthood and she continues to be the central figure in a family of religious faith, which includes myself, two Deacons, and a grandson who has taken vows to be a Trappist Monk.”
Ruth, also known as “Ruthie” or “Tiny” to many, was preceded in death by parents, Andrew and Cecilia; in-laws Ray and Julia McDaniel; brothers, Anthony “Bob” and Andrew “Sonny” Kliethermes; sister Patricia Rohan; and brothers-in-law, Deacon Peter Rohan and Edward Dubrouillet.
She is survived by husband Merv; children, Merva Lea Koenig and husband Kevin of Crossville, Tenn., Debbie Bonnot and husband Thomas of Littleton, Colo., Jeanne Walther and husband Glenn of Lexington, Ky. and Mike McDaniel and wife Carla of Bonnots Mill; grandchildren, Brother Nicholas Koenig, Laura Johnson and husband Kevin, Benjamin Koenig and wife Samantha, Matthew Koenig and wife Amanda, Craig Bonnot and wife Mindy, Brian Bonnot and wife Sara, Katie Cassmeyer and wife Brooke, Samuel Cassmeyer and wife Kristina and Connor McDaniel; great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Charlotte and Lillian Johnson, Joseph and Julia Bonnot, Zoey Koenig and baby Tucker Cassmeyer (due December 2022); sister, Carol “Dolly” Dubrouillet of Anderson, S.C.; brother, Deacon James Kliethermes and wife Elizabeth of Jefferson City; and many nieces and nephews who were a big part of her life.
A Mass of Christian burial was held Monday, Nov. 28 at St. George Catholic Church in Linn with Rev. Colin Franklin officiating. Interment was in the St. George Parish Cemetery in Linn.
Memorial contributions suggested to St. George Catholic Church or ProMedica Hospice Foundations.
Arrangements entrusted to Morton Chapel in Linn.
