Ruth Ann Kreuser Heinrich

Ruth Ann Kreuser Heinrich, born in Chicago, Illinois in 1947. She died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 73, on December 18, 2020, in Mesa, Arizona. She is survived by Francis Heinrich (marriage annulled in 1972) her son Paul Francis Heinrich, daughter-in-law, Carlita Matthews Heinrich, grandson Dylan Heinrich, granddaughter Alyssa Heinrich, and granddaughter-in-law, Nicole Cruz. She was preceded in death by her father Anthony Kreuser, Mother Virginia Kreuser Buchholz and brother Richard Kreuser. She is also survived by her sister Carol Kreuser Hawkins and brother-in-law, David Hawkins, her sister in-law Sharon Kreuser, her niece Donna Goodson, and nephews Michael Goodson, Jeffrey Kreuser and Michael Kreuser. A nephew-in-law Guy Galbreth, Her cousins Mary Anne Decatur and Rose Marie Ward. Her co-father-in-law, Vernon Matthews, and co-mother-in-law Rhonda Fleming Matthews and their daughters, Jodi Matthews and Tiree Matthews, and in-law, Dr. Carlyle Fleming. In addition to her lifelong best friend Marie Bell since 1968 and her husband Jack Bell. Ruth graduated from St. Scholastica High School. Her childhood nickname was, “Tootles”. She was a lifelong practicing Catholic and attended St. Mary of the Woods College in Terra Haute Indiana and was a student of the Monastery for a brief period. Ruth played the piano and the organ very well. She majored in music at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. She was a single mother and raised Paul in Chicago, Illinois. She was employed as a Legal Secretary in the beginning of her career. She courageously returned to nursing school later in life. She successfully graduated from the College of DuPage, with a nursing Associate degree and obtained her RN license. Ruth relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Arizona to remain in close proximity to her grandchildren. She deeply loved her grandson Dylan and granddaughter Alyssa. Ruth worked as a nurse in Illinois, New Mexico and Arizona. Ruth loved being a nurse until she had to prematurely end her nursing career due to her Parkinson’s diagnosis. She battled the debilitating disease for over 27 years. Her loved ones referred to her as the ultimate fighter who had the ability to beat the odds and to keep pushing after losing major bodily functions. Her quality of life was greatly diminished but she found the strength to keep going. Paul missed the opportunity to say goodbye to Ruth in person due to pandemic restrictions. He was fortunate for Sante Hospice and her RN Case Manager who set up weekly FaceTime videos for him and Ruth to see one another. Ruth passed while under the supervision of the caring staff at the Desert Blossom nursing home. Ruth was affectionately known to us as Grammy. You will truly be missed. We waited in anticipation for your recovery, but God had plans for where you needed to be and that was in his kingdom. We love and hold the memories of you dear in our hearts. Rest In Peace our lovely. Love, The Matthews Family. We would like to give special thanks to Uncle Carlyle for visiting Ruth weekly in the nursing home during the time we moved back to Illinois. We know Ruth kept you busy with Dairy Queen Cream store runs upon her request. Your time and dedication to ensure she was safe meant everything to us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you, Marie Bell, for sending Ruth care packages and always remembering her birthday. Nursing homes can be lonely, and she was thrilled to get your phone calls, pictures, and letters. You were an excellent best friend to mom. Thank you, Aunt Carol, and Cousin Mary Ann for the cards and phone calls, she looked forward to hearing from you and it was the highlight of her days. We are thankful she is no longer suffering and able to reunite with her parents and brother. -Paul and Carlita