Ruth Katherine Zipay

Ruth Katherine Zipay died peacefully into her Savior's arms on the early morning of Thursday, June 13, 2024. 

Ruth was born on October 10, 1957 in Detroit, Michigan to Rev. Nicholas and Ruth L. (Kucera) Zipay. She was baptized at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church on November 10, 1957 and was confirmed at Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Lorain, Ohio on May 31, 1971. Her confirmation verse was Hebrews 13:5b: “For He (God) hath said I will never leave thee or forsake thee.” She believed these words all the days of her life. 

Ruth joined the United States Air Force in 1976 after her high school graduation from Admiral King in Lorain, Ohio in 1975. She served two years at Holloman Air Force base in Alamogordo, New Mexico as an aircraft electrical systems specialist until she was honorably medically discharged in 1978. She went to the University of New Mexico and transferred to Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois graduating in 1984. She received a call to serve as a kindergarten teacher at Faith Lutheran School in Eustis, Florida. She was married in 1985 and was blessed with her daughter, Julie Ruth, who was born in Orlando, Florida. 

Ruth and Julie moved to St. Louis, Missouri where Ruth received a call to serve as a kindergarten teacher at St. John’s Lutheran School on Morganford. She taught many students including her daughter, Julie. Ruth received a call to serve as a K-8 teacher at St. Luke’s Lutheran and she also provided in-home healthcare for the elderly. Her favorite calling was teaching and caring for her grandchildren- Sophie and Davey. She was a member of St. Lucas Lutheran Church, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Faith Lutheran Church, and the Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens in St. Louis.

Ruth is survived by her daughter Julie Beck and son-in-law, Matt, along with her grandchildren Sophie and Davey.  She is also survived by her siblings Nicholas (Patricia) Zipay, Rita Zipay, Rebecca Zipay, and Rev. Joel (Laura) Zipay, as well as many nieces and nephews. Ruth is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Mark Christian Zipay. 

Visitation at Fey Funeral Home on Monday, June 24 from 4-7 p.m. and on Tuesday, June 25 at Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. Burial following at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Crisis Aid International or Nurses for Newborns. 

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