Lothar Frank Ruske

Lothar Frank Ruske passed away March 30, 2017 of cancer. Lothar was born November 11, 1928 in Neisse, Germany to Friedrich Franz Ruske and Maria Rassmann. He was drafted into the German navy but World War II ended shortly thereafter. Being displaced from his family, he traveled to Wilhelmshaven in Northern Germany, a pre-determined meeting place for the family. It was here that he was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, finished his schooling to become a professional typewriter technician and met his sweetheart. He married Edith Gretchen Behrens on May 18, 1955 (later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple) and immigrated to the United States in February 1956.

Lothar was a pioneer in being the first and only one of his family to embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ and become a member of the Church. After baptizing Edith, together they raised their children with gospel values and were able to instill within them a love of God and of His Son, Jesus Christ. He served faithfully in many callings including scoutmaster, elder's quorum president, bishopric counselor and stake executive secretary.

He worked for All Makes Typewriter Company in Salt Lake City for 25 years and retired from the LDS Church after 13 years of employment. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, traveling and rockhounding and spent many hours completing German crossword puzzles. There wasn't anything he couldn't fix. He was an ideal husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be missed very much.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Edith; his children Renate (William) Cardwell, Ralph (Susan), Diana (Blaine) Fuller, Ronald (Shauna); 19 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; and his sister Regina (Reid) Luff. The family would like to thank the Intermountain Hospice staff for their compassionate care of Lothar.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 12:00 noon at the Hillcrest 4th Ward, 8735 S. Harvard Park Drive, Sandy, with a viewing prior from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Crescent Cemetery in Sandy. Condolences may be shared at www.goffmortuary.com .