Ruth Ann Schaper

***DUE TO THE WEATHER, visitation for tonight is canceled and will be from 9-11am at the church Thursday morning***

Ruth Ann Schaper passed away peacefully the evening of February 28, 2025, with the love of her family surrounding her. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth. A time for visitation will be held at Patton Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4-7PM and one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Blue Earth.

Ruth was born March 27, 1940 to James and Della (Pigney) Leach of Aurora, Illinois. Ruth is a 1959 graduate of Blue Earth High School. She married James R. Schaper on January 10, 1960 and made their home on a farm near Bricelyn, MN. Together, they farmed until 1987 and raised five children. Ruth had her own business out of the home doing upholstery work for over 35 years. Ruth also enjoyed going on many outings with her Red Hat friends and looked forward to gatherings with her neighborhood club ladies. In the Fall of 2021, she made the move from the farm to New Life Manor in Blue Earth, where she treasured her time with her new friends. She will always be remembered as someone who was constantly smiling, laughing and making conversation no matter where she was or who she was with. She was a lifelong, active member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth and served as a circle member and former religion teacher. Ruth always looked forward to spending her time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an avid sports fan and never missed an event for her children or grandchildren through the years.

Ruth is survived by her daughters, Trish (Mike) Gjere of Blue Earth, Tami (Bruce) Yokiel of Austin, MN; and three sons, Jeff (Barb) Schaper, Blue Earth; Mike (Lisa) Schaper, Osakis, MN, and Bryan Schaper, Blue Earth.

She will be irreplaceable to her 12 precious grandchildren: Ben (Chelsey) Gjere, Lyndsey (Mike) McQuade, Anthony (Amber) Oldfather, Makenzie Oldfather (Alex Dreyer and daughter Aela), TJ Oldfather (Grace Bobby), Lexie Yokiel, Dan Schaper (Jenifer Martinez), Kayla (Jacob) Hassing, Alicia (Mitch) Herke, Zack Schaper (Britt Biser), Damian and Dominic Schaper.

Her Great-Grandchildren: Caeley and Casey Gjere; Madelyn, Calvin and Daxton McQuade; McKenna and Brooklyn Herke; Colbie Hassing; and baby Dreyer on the way.

Her two sisters and brother: Lynda (Marvin) Heidecker, Lakota, IA; Cathy (Mike) Koons, The Villages, FL; Gary Leach, Delavan, MN

She is also survived by her many nieces and nephews who were very dear to her heart.

Ruth will join her beloved husband, Jim; her parents; brothers, John and Jim Leach; brother-in-law, Kurt Anderson and sister-in-law, Shirley Bleess in the heavens above.