Former Minster resident Ruth M. Heitkamp, 93, died at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 28, 2008, at Otterbein St. Marys Retirement Community.

She was born July 4, 1915, in Maria Stein, to August and Catherine Bertke Kremer. On April 16, 1940, she married Elmer B. Heitkamp, who died April 28, 1983.

Surviving are her children, Esther (Charles) Roope, Grove City, Jean (Howard) Beaufait, Canton, Karen Halstead, Columbus, Judith (Gregory) Dorney, Powell, Michael (Jane) Heitkamp, Springboro, Steven (Betty) Heitkamp, Minster, James (Renee) Hetkamp, Diamond, and Debra (Jeff) Siefring, Hopedale, Mass.; a sister, Norma Dahlinghaus, Egypt; and a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Kremer, Maria Stein; 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Deceased are four brothers Alphonse, Felix, David and Paul Kremer; two sisters Edith Braun and Rose Geier; a son-in-law, Gary Halsted and a great-grandchild.

She was a homemaker and member of St. Augustine Catholic Church, Minster, the Knights of St. John Auxiliary, Fort Loramie, and a former member of the church mission commission, as well as many other church organizations.

Funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Friday at the church, the Rev. Ken Schnipke officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery.

Calling is 2-7 p.m. Thursday and 9-9:30 a.m. Friday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.