Ruth Meissner, 97, of Ludington, peacefully passed away, surrounded by her family, on Thursday, February 22, 2018.  She was born in Ludington on August 19, 1920 to Arthur William and Esther Amelia (Peterson) Augustson.

Ruth is survived by her four children, Druscilla Lyon, Mary Meissner, John Meissner, Jr. (Palm Springs, California), and Gregory Meissner; five grandchildren, Brent (Karen) Lyon, Marnie (Jerome) Nickelson, Brandon Meissner, Nathan (Amanda) Meissner, and Amber Meissner; twelve great-grandchildren, and a sister, Arlene Hanson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Esther Augustson, her husband, John, in 2007, a sister Dorothy Jones, and a half-brother, Gordon Ritchie.

Ruth married John William Meissner on May 31, 1942, in Duluth, Minnesota.  They lived and raised their family in Ludington.

We will remember our mother as a hard-working, strong-willed, feisty woman, who loved and cared for her children while her husband made his living sailing on the Great Lakes Freighters and was away from home eight months of the year.

After retirement, she and her husband enjoyed sixteen winters in Tucson, Arizona with many of their life-long friends.

Ruth was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Ludington.

Private family services will be at St. John's Lutheran Church with Pastor Tom Boehne officiating.   Interment will be in the Lakeview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to St. John's Lutheran Church or Lakeshore Animal Friends.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service-Pere Marquette Chapel, Ludington, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com