Ruth Elaine Ziese

June 5, 1934 - March 21, 2022

Ruth Elaine Ziese was born to Leo and Allegra Cook on June 5, 1934, in Compton CA. Her father served in the U S Army during WWII and the Korean War attaining the rank of major before retiring in 1961. Ruth’s mother held down the home front with Ruth and her younger sister Maribell during many years of separation. In 1953 the family was able join Leo while he was stationed in Japan. It was there in December of 1954 Ruth met, and then married, Army Sgt Loren “Larry” Wayne Ziese on June 10, 1955. Larry’s service commitment ended and they returned to Vallejo, CA, where Larry worked at Mare Island as a Machinist. In March of 1956 their first son Wayne was born and they bought their first home. Twenty-one months later their second son David arrived. Ruth became a mother and home maker early in their marriage raising the two boys while supporting Larry as he obtained his GED. He then went on to earn an AA college degree before successfully testing to become a California Highway Patrol Officer. Their third son Glenn was born in March 1961. Several months later the family moved to Lancaster, CA, where Larry’s CHP career began, lasting 23 years before ending due to a disability. Ruth remained a homemaker until after the first two boy’s finished high school and were married. She then began a career working for a photographer as an assistant and administrative assistant while living in Fair Oaks, CA. In the late 1980s they built a home in Shingle Springs, CA and helped establish a mission church for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. As the congregation grew, she became the church’s first secretary. Throughout her life Ruth served as a church secretary in several churches, in the Lutheran Woman’s Missionary League, and Marriage Encounter with Larry. She was an active member in church life in Vallejo, Fair Oaks and at Light of the Hills Lutheran Church. She loved her monthly trips with her dear friends in the Christian Campers Club. Our Lord called her home on March 21, 2022. She is survived by her three sons and their wives, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She is proceeded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, her daughter-in-law Nancy and granddaughter Heather. An endowment fund to support pastors in training has been established at Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, Cameron Park, CA 95682