Ruth Gerst
Went home to be with the Lord on Sept. 24, 2012 at age 77. She was born October 12, 1934 in St. Louis. She spent most of her life in St. Louis. She was a resident in a nursing home in the last five years of her life. She was well-liked by her fellow residents there. She was a proud long-time member of the Lindenwood Baptist Church in St Louis. She loved Jesus. Her faith was an important part of her life.
Her life was well lived. There were good times and bad times. just like anyone else has. She was unable to finish high school for economic reasons. To note, she earned her GED and an Associates Degree in middle life. She took her first job at the age of 15 as a live-in nanny. She was one of the prettiest girls you ever saw. Her employer noticed this and was much friendlier than he needed to be. She left that job to work in retail.
She married at age 21 and started her own family. Even though the marriage did not work out, she had children to raise. She raised them well. Through the difficult times, she made things better because she always kept love in the house. A better mother could not be asked for.
God blessed her with a job with the civil service when she was in her forties. She loved the job, enjoyed the people she worked with, and enjoyed the environment she worked in. The job provided her with some financial security and boosted her self-esteem, as well. She spent 20+ years there before her retirement. It was during this time that her grandchildren were born. She was family orientated and a doting grandmother. These were golden years for her that were well-earned.
The most important legacy she leaves behind is her humanity. When company came around, she treated them like family. She was kind, giving, generous, tolerant. She did not let adversity in her earlier years change her outlook, which helped enhance her later years.
The values she passed along, her humanity, is something we will pass along generation to generation.
She was preceded in death by her parents Vera May (Graetzer) Wood, Eugene Homan, and Dorothy Homan. She is survived by her children Charles (Betty) Gerst Jr, Carol (Chris) Stocklin, Mike (Janet) Gerst and Patricia Gerst; her grandchildren: Crystal Gerst, Daniel Pitt, John Wayne Ellis III, David Pitt, John Gerst, Lance Gerst, Steven Gerst, Melanie Ellis, Melissa Ellis, Christina Gerst, Angela Gerst, and Sarah Ruth Gerst; her beloved great-grandson Jesse James Ellis; her siblings: Eugene Homan, Dennis Homan and Patricia Homan and many friends who held her in the highest regard.
There will be a Memorial Service to celebrate her life at Lindenwood Baptist Church 6932 Landsdowne Ave St. Louis, MO 63109 on Saturday, October 13, 2012 starting at 1pm.
Mom, you were a blessing to us all. We love you and are thankful you are with our beloved Lord Jesus. Thank you for the lovr you bestowed upon me. We all have wonderful memories that will remain with us until we see you again.
Mom (Ruthless), I can’t express enough words to let you know how much I love you. You taught me how to love and how to live and I will seek to be half the woman you were. You will be missed but I am so happy and blessed to know you are in heaven with Jesus and your loved ones that you so missed. No more pain, no more sadness and a great buffet. I thank God everyday for you and the exemplary life you lived and that I had a mother like you. Kind, generous to a fault, unselfish, annoying at times (when you sang or got anxious), pure hearted, but your loving heart is what always stood out the most. Thank you mom and I can’t wait till the day we are reunited. Love & kisses to you. Carol Ann
Mom was a very sensitive person whose life centered on her personal relationships. Material positions were unimportant to her. Her sensitivity made her more vulnerable to being hurt emotionally and she did not receive the loving support growing up which she provided so wonderfully to her children. She also suffered deep emotional pain from the breakup of her marriage. Through her inner resilience, love for her children, and faith in God, she overcame these setbacks and provided love and assurance to her children which she had not received herself. She established a legacy of caring for other people that is now evident even in her grandchildren, who she adored and found great joy in. She is now in God’s presence where there is no pain or suffering, surrounded by loved ones. I only wish I could have seen her face when she heard the words from the mouth of Jesus. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”. Thank you, Mom. I love you always. Mike
Mom, it has been six weeks since you went to heaven. Think of you everyday. I try not to cry because I don’t know how long it would take to stop. Even though I saw you at the hospital at the end, wrote your obituary and assisted with final arrangements, it is evident to me that everything still had not totally soaked in. Here we are making Thanksgiving plans for next week. It is my first one without you included. Wanted to note that your memorial service was beautiful. Had a good turnout. All your children participated along with some grandkids, too. Pastor John led a great service. He & his wife sang a couple of your favorite songs. A friend of Carol’s from work sought me out after the service. She said she she had never met you, but she wished she had. I concurred. Thanks again for being a wonderful mother. Love You, Charles