On December 10, 2012 at the age of 89, Bernice Lorraine Ruge (Redar) lost
her long, hard fought battle with Alzheimer’s.
She was born on May 14, 1923 to John and Barbara Reichert Redar, both of
whom preceded her in death.
She was also preceded in death by her husband Donald Ruge, Sr., on December
10, 2009.
She will be greatly missed by her four children Darlene (Ed) Jankowski of
Valparaiso, Ind., Donald (Peter Carino) Ruge Jr. of Colorado Springs, Colo.,
Duane (Marie) Ruge of Moorpark, Calif., and Darryl (Richard Gmerek) Ruge, of
Indianapolis, Ind., five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a
great-great-grandson on the way, along with many nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded by her brothers and their spouses, Emery and Helen
Redar, Francis and Liz Redar and sister Betty and Fred Huettner.
She was a wonderful homemaker. For years her platters of assorted Christmas
cookies were delivered all over Northwest Indiana, especially to every
doctor’s office that had helped her husband. She sent cards on a daily basis
to family and friends, never missing a birthday, anniversary, illness or
baby, always with a handwritten note.
When Alzheimer’s began to affect her, she couldn’t bake or send her
heart-felt cards anymore, which saddened her. For the last three years, she
has been at Rittenhouse, Memory Care Unit.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 14, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at
Saint Patrick Catholic Church, 640 North Calumet Rd., Chesterton, Ind.,
46304 with Father James Meade officiating. Burial will take place at
Graceland Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 13, 2012 from 3 p.m.
to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 5:30 p.m., at the White-Love Funeral
Home, 525 South 2nd St., Chesterton, Ind.
Memorials in Bernice’s name may be given to the Rittenhouse Memory Care
Unit, 1300 Vale Park Rd., Valparaiso, IN, 46383.
For additional information, please contact White-Love Funeral Home at
219-926-1309.