Ruth Derstine (Detweiler) Brunk Obituary (1927

Ruth Derstine Detweiler Brunk (91) passed away peacefully on January 30, 2019 at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Center (VMRC) in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She is preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Edna Detweiler and her sister, Beulah (Stutzman). She leaves behind her husband of 68 years, Nelson; her two brothers, Walter (LaAry) and Donald (Nancy); her three children, Carol (Bob Harnish), Judy (Gary Blosser) and Brad (Patti King); seven grandchildren, Kate (Ed Plocher) and Jonathan (Vicki Garcia) Harnish, Becky (David) Werlin and Shannon Blosser, Rachel (David) Woje, Mollee Brunk, and Landon (Kia Jeffords) Brunk; and six great-grandchildren, Sid, Sam and Sophia Werlin and Raelynn, Sage and Judah Woje. Ruth was born at home in Souderton, Pennsylvania on August 19, 1927. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite School in Harrisonburg. As a young adult she developed her writing and public speaking skills focusing on topics that challenged people to reflect on faith and life issues. Prior to her marriage to Nelson on March 11, 1950, Ruth worked at Souderton Bank and Provident Bookstore. They spent many years in Maryland, and later "snowbirded" between Sarasota, Florida and Colorado Springs, Colorado. They chose to join the VMRC community late in life as a place to reconnect with old friends and develop new ones. Ruth loved creating handcrafted items as gifts for family and friends as well as donating items to the MCC Relief Sale in Colorado. She was an adventurous cook, a gift she passed on to her children, and was a gracious hostess to many guests throughout her married life. Ruth dearly loved to read and traveled widely with Nelson for pleasure, education and mission work. She gave of her time and talents to each church she belonged to as well as MCC stores, MEDA and several Mennonite church camps. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 11 am at Strite Auditorium of the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community with Pastors Craig Maven and Eric Martin officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all memorial contributions be made to VMRC, C/O The Compassion Fund, 1501 Virginia Ave, Harrisonburg, VA 22802. Those wishing may share a memory or an online condolence by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com Arrangements entrusted to the McMullen Funeral Home.