Ruth Katherine Berridge

Ruth Katherine Berridge, 85, of Stillwater, Oklahoma died in her sleep March 20, 2013. Ruth was born June 3, 1927 in Washington, Missouri to Carl Theodore Purzner and Elsa Emma (Hartbauer) Purzner. She was one of seven children. She lived and went to school in Washington until her senior year when she relocated to St Louis and attended Beaumont High School in St Louis. She worked for 1 year as an administrative secretary for Stix, Baer and Fuller. She then married her neighbor, Leeds "Boots" Brown Berridge, who had just returned home from fighting in World War II. They were happily married for 61 years before Leeds died in 2008. They raised two children, Leeds Carl and Beverly Katherine and lived in the same house for 45 years developing a tight bond with the neighbors on their street (the Pepper Laners). Having frequent block parties, playing cards and bowling together kept the neighbors close for many years. Her faith in God, family and sports (especially the St Louis Cardinals baseball team ) were very important to Ruth during her lifetime. She was active in her church in St Louis serving in the Ladies Aid Society, Altar Guild and Vacation Bible School. After moving to Stillwater, she became a member of Zion Lutheran Church. She cherished her relationship with her siblings and their spouses and all of the nieces and nephews, providing a card ministry to them for many years. Until her last day, she was eager to hear stories about different members of the family. And many an evening over the years would find her and Boots watching a Cardinal baseball game on TV or listening to the game on the radio. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, Paul Purzner; four sisters, Dorothy Kappelmann, Lucille Trauth, Mary Purzner, Martha Mulcahy and one sister-in-law Ethel "May" Day. Survivors include their children - Leeds (Chris) Berridge of Renningen, Germany and Beverly (Bob) Bahr of Stillwater Oklahoma; Six grandchildren - Rob McDaniel, Susanne Berridge, Sabine (Dorgil) Correia, Kristian (Amy) Bahr , Zachary (Lisa) Bahr and Gabriel Bahr; and four great grandchildren - Aurora and Benno Correia, Kaylee Bahr and Baby boy Bahr. She also is survived by one sister, Carolyn Purzner, one brother in law, Don Mulcahy and many nieces and nephews. Memorials can be sent to Zion Lutheran Church, 504 S. Knoblock, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74075.