Ruth McCleskey
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Ruth Kaethe McCleskey of Wichita Falls, TX went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 24,
2021. She was 97 years old.
Ruth was born in Berlin, Germany on March 14, 1924 to parents Wally Martha and Johannes
Wilhelm Woltjen. She was the second of two children.
Ruth grew up in Berlin where she and her family survived being bombed twice during World
War II. She completed high school, attended 2 additional years of commercial school, and then
worked for the Office of Foreign Affairs in Berlin during the latter stages of the war. She met her
future husband, US Sergeant W.W. (Mac) McCleskey in 1946, and they were married
on July 26, 1950 in Berlin. Along with that union came Mac's lovely daughter, Laura Lee, who
Ruth loved as her own. Ruth immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island and earned her
US Citizenship five years later.
Ruth and Mac were also blessed with two sons, John and Ron. The family moved several times
throughout Mac's 20 year Army career, and settled in Eastland, TX in 1965 where Ruth made a
loving and welcoming home. Ruth worked for Eastland Memorial Hospital as a pharmacy tech
until her retirement. She was a very talented woman in the art of sewing, knitting, and crochet.
Ruth was a member of the First Christian Church of Eastland, volunteered for the Eastland
Community Food Bank, served on the Eastland Crime Stoppers board, and taught the Eastland
Senior Citizen Water Aerobics Program. In 2012, Ruth moved to Wichita Falls to be close to her
family.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Horst Woltjen, her husband Mac, her
daughter Laura Wimer and her son John McCleskey.
Ruth is survived by her son Ron McCleskey and wife Mona of Wichita Falls, grandchildren
Debra Strock of Castle Rock, CO, Leroy Strock of Hurst, George Strock and his wife Delta of
Alba, Mason McCleskey of Wichita Falls, Josh McCleskey of Wichita Falls, Morgan McCleskey
of Kapaa, HI, Megan McCleskey of Dallas, 5 great grandchildren, and 7 great, great
grandchildren.
A private graveside service was held on Friday, April 30th at the Eastland City Cemetery
pavilion.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Ruth's name to Hospice of
Wichita Falls, 4909 Johnson Road, Wichita Falls, TX 76310.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.edwards-funeral-homes.com.