Ruth R. Jurenko, age 84, of Huntsville, died Friday, July 21. She was born in Philadelphia, Pa., to Margaret and Walter Rohrbach. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Jurenko Jr., and her parents.
Ruth graduated from Cedar Crest College with a B.S. degree in education. After graduation she served the college in several ways and in 2010 received an honorary doctoral degree bestowed to individuals whose achievements and personal attributes represent the ideals of the college. She was known as “Miss Ruth” to the numerous children she taught at Grace Lutheran Church Pre-Kindergarten.
Ruth was a staunch supporter of Grace Lutheran Church and School having served as a member of the Grace Lutheran Day School Board for many years. She was also an active member of the church council, church choir and Ladies of Grace.
A strong community supporter, Ruth was a member of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild, Huntsville Museum of Art Guild, Early Works Society, Huntsville Botanical Garden and Huntsville-Madison County Public Library Foundation. She also served in many capacities as a member of the American Association of University Women including Alabama State President, Southeast Central Regional Director and Alabama Educational Foundation Chair.
In 2005, Ruth was awarded the Girls Incorporated of Huntsville “She Knows Where She’s Going” Award and in 2006, she was awarded the Women’s Economic Development Council Women Honoring Women Award. In 2008, Ruth and John were named to the Junior Achievement of Northern Alabama Business Hall of Fame and in 2011, Ruth was awarded the Christine Richard Lifetime Achievement Award by the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.
Ruth is survived by her daughters, Carole J. Jones (George) and Janet J. Brown (David); three grandchildren, Laura J. Plummer (Tommy), Adam Brown (Lexie) and Garrett Brown; and three great-grandchildren, Sadie and Kennedy Plummer and Karsyn Brown.
Visitation will be Wednesday, July 26 at 11:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church with a service to follow at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Russ Gipson officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to Hudson Alpha Foundation, Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, or the Huntsville Botanical Garden.
