Obituary of Ruth Jean Stouffer

Ruth Jean Stouffer, 95, passed away on November 21, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona where she lived for many years in the home she and her husband built in the late ‘70s. The daughter of Paul and Elsie Kurr, she was born and raised in Pennsylvania where she met and married her husband of 58 years, Carl L Stouffer (d. 2003.) She is survived by her four children: Gail Jester (Greg,) Janet Aggen (Render,) Cathy Stempski (Mark,) and Carl Jr. (Kathy.) She had 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and one (brand new!) great-great grandchild. Her greatest sources of strength and happiness were her family and her faith.

Typically quiet and thoughtful, she had a sparkling sense of humor, a kind manner, and a terrific sweet tooth. (She would declare any plan that involved sticky buns to be a ‘plan shaping up nicely,’ with that unmistakable twinkle in her eyes.) She never wanted to be the center of attention and was usually in the background, perhaps the perfect match to her husband’s ‘out there,’ opinionated personality. But she was strong and solid, and usually things turned out to be the way she wanted them.

Ruth was born in 1926, and grew up essentially as an only child since her two older siblings were quite a bit older – she was the much doted-on youngest, nicknamed “Petty.” She sang in the church and school choirs. (Her high school yearbook said she had ‘a voice as clear as a bell.’) She met her husband in high school – a blind date on a hayride. Much of their romance was through letter writing as he trained in the service during World War II and she finished high school and went on to a business college course. They had a beautiful June wedding, with flowers from her mother’s garden.

She gave birth to her three girls in four years and finally a 4th child – a boy – was born five years later. They all moved to Arizona in 1956, shortly after her youngest was born – a brave move in itself when you consider that the folks back in Pennsylvania thought she’d be fighting off cowboys and Indians out there in the wild, wild west. She was mostly a stay-at-home mom, although at one point she worked full time for a year so Carl could take a full load of college classes to finish his engineering degree. She volunteered with the Girl Scouts while her girls were in school, and was a long-time member of St Andrews Presbyterian Church, volunteering with the food bank, sewing pillowcases, buying toys for tots – if there was a need, and she was able, she was there. As an empty-nester, she partnered with her husband to build their construction business and was able to indulge in some travel – with many visits to Alaska and even a trip to Tahiti. At home, she presided over huge family holiday dinners for many years. She was an amazing quilter, an avid reader, and a music lover. She was a wonderful person.

She built her life around her family and her faith – and she lived it beautifully. And she will be missed by many.

Celebration of Life services will be delayed due to Covid-19 and will be announced at a later date.