Martha Lorraine Rueter

On Thursday, December 29th 2022, Martha "Marti" Lorraine Rueter passed away in her home at the age of 95. Her husband, Wilbert, met her at the gates and pulled her into a dance.

Marti was born on Wednesday, May 18th 1927 in Oklahoma to John and Verna Byler. By the time she was 2, the family had relocated to Houston, Missouri and her brother Jim was born. Growing up, Marti had a high school education. She attended school until she was a teenager and then she spent time helping the family, especially her mother around the home with chores. She always told stories of her and her brothers' adventures of growing up in rural Missouri. They played outdoors most of the days.  As they got older, they would go to community dances as that was Marti's favorite thing to do. She always wanted to dance. 

Marti was first married at 16, but her first husband died in WWII just two years after they married. A couple years later, she met and fell in love with her husband, Wilbert Rueter. Together they had 3 sons. While he worked several hours a day, Marti stayed in the home raising the children and attending to the home. She and Wilbert lived in St. Louis for over 50 years. She loved to be outside working in her garden, keeping the cars cleaned or walking to the fence to speak with the neighbors. 

While Marti's family was small, her husband's was not. Most of their life was spent just across the river in Illinois where the majority of the Rueter family resided. She became very close with her extended family and always loved spending time with them on the farm. Her nickname Marti was coined by her brother-in-law, Arnold, who loved to tease and banter with her constantly. 

Marti was a devout Lutheran and attended church and held onto her faith her entire life. She worked in the nursery and daycare at their church in St. Louis for several years and was involved with the ladies group and other committees. She said her prayers every night and was always praying for others. 

After the passing of her husband, she moved to Batesville, Arkansas for almost 14 years. Here, she met a friend, John Eldridge, and they spent many years going to the Senior center every week to dance. She also loved playing BINGO  and keeping up with all the gossip that the ladies shared each week. Marti enjoyed watching Good Morning America and Jeopardy daily. At the age of 83, she was able to care for her newborn great-grandson every day. 

Marti moved to Rancho Palos Verdes, CA in 2015. She enjoyed getting a Starbucks coffee in the morning and going for walks along the coastline to admire the beautiful view. She still continued to attend senior events while she was still able to dance. 

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, John and Verna, her brother Jim, sister-in-law Wanda, her daughter-in-law Susan, her grandson Matthew Morachis-Rueter and her husband Wilbert. 

She leaves behind her 3 sons, Kenneth Rueter (Penny), Michael Rueter (Rhonda), Richard Rueter (fiance' Mandy); 5 grandchildren, Matthew Rueter (Laura), Lindsay Moody (Daniel), Mallory Rueter, Mitchell Rueter (Emily),  Brandon Rueter (Candace) and 11 great-grandchildren Baylor, Ashlee, Kyra, Mason, Porter, Brock, Darien, Charlize, Tilden-Jane, Adelaide and Jackson. Also left to mourn her are her several nieces and nephews, her sisters-in-law Viola Thouvenin, Diane Rueter, Eunice Rueter-Witte and many other family members and long-time friends.

The visitation will be held on Monday, January 9th from 5-7 p.m. at Fey Funeral Home on Lemay Ferry Rd. and the funeral service will be on Tuesday, January 10th at 10:30 a.m. taking place at Gethsemane Lutheran Church. Burial following at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. A luncheon to follow at Gethsemane Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association or the USO (United Service Organizations).

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