Ruth Nurnberger

Ruth Ann Nurnberger, 82, of Staples, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on March 31, 2023, at Park Rapids Hospital after a short illness.

Visitation will be held at Brenny Funeral Home in Staples on Sat., April 15 at 9:30 a.m. with funeral services following at Sacred Heart Church in Staples at 11 a.m.  

Ruth was born August 26, 1940, in Menahga to Walter and Alice (Peterson) Leslie. 

She lived on a farm northeast of Verndale and later moved to Staples on a farm near McGivern Park. Ruth was a graduate of Staples High School and was a cheerleader when she met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Robert (Bob) Nurnberger who was active in sports. They were married on April 19, 1958, for 64 years and enjoyed playing mixed couples softball, raising their family, coaching and cheering on their children and grandchildren in various sports over the years.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law and friend; a strong, beautiful woman who had a zest for life and a strong love for family.

Ruth enjoyed outdoor activities, fishing, gardening, where she often out-fished most of her family and managed to maintain a beautiful and thriving garden. She was a great baker and cook, and expressed her love to every individual family member through memorizing and providing their favorite meals and baked goods. She loved to sew and crochet, making many quilts for the family over the years. She also sewed wedding dresses, prom dresses and doll clothes for her family. There was very little she could not do when she set her mind to it. She recently bought a computer and taught herself to use email and word processing to share her recipes with her family.

There are wonderful memories of times spent  at their cabin in Nevis; memories from fishing from the boat and off the dock, playing Bocce ball in the back lawn and a game or two of cribbage after dark. 

Ruth is survived by her husband, Robert; two sons, Bob (Sue) Nurnberger and Scot (Jackie) Nurnberger; one daughter, Sherri Nurnberger; one son-in-law, John Riewer; 11 grandchildren, Jolene, Aaron, Samantha, Bayli, Joshua, Malerie, Derek, Caleb, Jared, Jordan, and Adam; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and one brother, Eugene Leslie.

She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Kim Riewer; one son-in-law, Gary Otteson; five siblings, June Faruolo, Bonnie Johnson, Roger Leslie, Kenneth Leslie, Lorraine Ringler and her parents.

Arrangements are by  Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Staples.

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