FELTON - Ruth Inge (Andersen) Butler passed away on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018 at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Ruth was born to the late Kai Henry and Dagny Lovine Andersen on May 5, 1937 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
She met her late husband, Donald Forest Butler while he was stationed in Germany. They married in Copenhagen in 1963 and had three children, Mai-jane, Sussanne, and Kristine. Ruth came to the United States to live in 1964. She became a U.S. Citizen on May 2, 1983.
Ruth loved to sew and bake. She worked for ILC, Mr. Upholstery and General Foods, all in Dover; Ruth also had her own upholstery shop. She was an avid member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 11 where she held officer positions of Adaha and Marshal. She was also a part of the International Order of Jobs Daughters of Delaware Bethel #7, where she held an officer position of Grand Guardian of Delaware.
In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Don; her sisters, Lillian and Tove; her brothers, Lief and Fredie; and her son-in-law, Louis V. Jara.
She is survived by her loving daughters, Mai-jane Merklein and husband Steve of Springfield, Mass; Sussanne Jara and friend Paul Willey of Dover; Kristine Butler of Felton; her beloved grandchildren, Kimberly Jara, Anthony Jara, Shawn Fenner, Kathy Lopez and Whitey Cooper; and her great grandchildren, Cierra Lopez and Carzima Lopez. Ruth is also survived by her sister-in-law, Betsy Short and her husband Jack of Harrington.
A service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Rt. 10), Dover, where friends may call from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. An Order of the Eastern Star Service followed by Jobs Daughters will be held just prior to the regular service.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #11, or the First State Animal Shelter and SPCA, 32 Shelter Circle, Camden, DE 19934.
Letters of condolence and guestbook may be signed at www.torbertfuneral.com