Ruth Violet Bahm
September 3rd, 1929 - December 7th, 2024
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Ruth's Obituary
Ruth Violet Bahm, our dear 95-year-old mother, passed on December 7, 2024. Ruth was born September 3, 1929, in Benton Harbor to Christ and Alma (Mashke) Ignatovich. She attended St. Matthews Lutheran School and graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1948.
On February 3, 1951, Ruth married Alvin Bahm. They farmed as Bahm Bros with Alvin’s brother, Ed and his wife Irene Bahm, who was Ruth’s best friend and sister-in-law. They raised 2 children together, Diane and Dennis.
Ruth’s faith was very important to her. A member of St. Matthews Church in Benton Harbor where she was baptized and confirmed. She then became a member of Grace Lutheran Church and attended faithfully for many years.
Ruth was a wonderful, caring Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and friend to all. She loved polka music, dancing, sewing and especially family time. She was an avid University of Michigan and Duke University fan. She always knew when her great-grands games and events were and spoke every day about them to her family at A Place Called Home.
Ruth is survived by daughter, Diane (Robert) Pagel and son, Dennis (Valyn) Bahm; grands; Jessica (Chris) Machiniak, Jason (Erica) Pagel, Jeff (Heather) Pagel, Andrew (Melissa) Bahm Molly (Justin Paul)Bahm and Joshua Bahm; great-grands, Jake, Charlie, Olivia, Andrew, Riley, Emma, Jackson, Allison, Cooper, Jack, Kenzie, Nora and Charlie; special niece and nephew Patty and Jim Miller.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Alvin; siblings Lillian Geike, Walter, Edward and Arthur Ignatovich, Irene and Ed Bahm and special nephew David Bahm.
A funeral service for Ruth will take place on Thursday December 12, 2024, at 1pm at Starks and Menchinger (2650 Niles Road, Saint Joseph, Michigan 49085) with Pastor Joshua Bishop officiating. Visitation will be from 11-1pm prior to service. Burial will take place following service at Riverview Cemetery, Saint Joseph, Michigan. Feel free to share a memory with the family on their online memory wall at www.starks-menchinger.com.
The family would like to thank Meagan and crew for the loving, wonderful care Ruth was given at her final residence, A Place Called Home in Stevensville, MI; The Whitcomb for 10 years as a resident and Caring Circle Hospice for the care they gave.
Memorials can be made to A Place Called Home or Grace Lutheran Church.
Ruth was very proud of her family and lived her life fully with humor and love of family and faith.
She will be missed dearly by her family and friends. Here’s a final...”Go Blue” mom…
On February 3, 1951, Ruth married Alvin Bahm. They farmed as Bahm Bros with Alvin’s brother, Ed and his wife Irene Bahm, who was Ruth’s best friend and sister-in-law. They raised 2 children together, Diane and Dennis.
Ruth’s faith was very important to her. A member of St. Matthews Church in Benton Harbor where she was baptized and confirmed. She then became a member of Grace Lutheran Church and attended faithfully for many years.
Ruth was a wonderful, caring Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and friend to all. She loved polka music, dancing, sewing and especially family time. She was an avid University of Michigan and Duke University fan. She always knew when her great-grands games and events were and spoke every day about them to her family at A Place Called Home.
Ruth is survived by daughter, Diane (Robert) Pagel and son, Dennis (Valyn) Bahm; grands; Jessica (Chris) Machiniak, Jason (Erica) Pagel, Jeff (Heather) Pagel, Andrew (Melissa) Bahm Molly (Justin Paul)Bahm and Joshua Bahm; great-grands, Jake, Charlie, Olivia, Andrew, Riley, Emma, Jackson, Allison, Cooper, Jack, Kenzie, Nora and Charlie; special niece and nephew Patty and Jim Miller.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Alvin; siblings Lillian Geike, Walter, Edward and Arthur Ignatovich, Irene and Ed Bahm and special nephew David Bahm.
A funeral service for Ruth will take place on Thursday December 12, 2024, at 1pm at Starks and Menchinger (2650 Niles Road, Saint Joseph, Michigan 49085) with Pastor Joshua Bishop officiating. Visitation will be from 11-1pm prior to service. Burial will take place following service at Riverview Cemetery, Saint Joseph, Michigan. Feel free to share a memory with the family on their online memory wall at www.starks-menchinger.com.
The family would like to thank Meagan and crew for the loving, wonderful care Ruth was given at her final residence, A Place Called Home in Stevensville, MI; The Whitcomb for 10 years as a resident and Caring Circle Hospice for the care they gave.
Memorials can be made to A Place Called Home or Grace Lutheran Church.
Ruth was very proud of her family and lived her life fully with humor and love of family and faith.
She will be missed dearly by her family and friends. Here’s a final...”Go Blue” mom…
Memorial Contributions
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