Ruth Marie (Kliethermes) McDaniel

Ruth Marie Kliethermes McDaniel, age 89, of Linn, passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at Gasconade Manor Nursing Home in Owensville.

Ruth was born on October 16, 1933, in Linn, a daughter to the late Andrew and Cecilia (Luebbert) Kliethermes.

She was united in marriage to Mervin McDaniel on October 3, 1953, at St. George Catholic Church, who survives at the home.

Ruth attended St. George Catholic School and graduated from Linn High School in 1951. She worked for Legends Bank (Linn State Bank) and did recordkeeping for Joe Boes’ Tire for several years. In 2001, she retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 30 years of service. She and Merv made Linn their home after a few years in North Carolina and St. Charles, Missouri.

Ruth was an active parishioner at St. George Catholic Church, serving on the parish council in the 1970s, St. Ann’s Sodality, and the quilting group. After retirement, she cleaned the church until her health no longer allowed it.   

A person grounded by her Catholic faith, Ruth was a role model to her nieces and nephews and provided love and direction to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Her unyielding faith is validated in a comment from her nephew, Rev. James Dubrouillet, who shared this when she was named St. George Distinguished Alum several years ago, “Ruth was the first family member to suggest that I enter the priesthood and she continues to be the central figure in a family of religious faith, which includes myself, two Deacons, and a grandson who has taken vows to be a Trappist Monk.”

Ruth, also known as “Ruthie” or “Tiny” to many, was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws Ray and Julia McDaniel, brothers Anthony “Bob” and Andrew “Sonny” Kliethermes, sister Patricia Rohan, and brothers-in-law Deacon Peter Rohan and Edward Dubrouillet.

She is survived by her husband Merv; one sister, Carol “Dolly” Dubrouillet of Anderson, South Carolina, and one brother Deacon James (Elizabeth) Kliethermes of Jefferson City; four children Merva Lea (Kevin) Koenig of Crossville, Tennessee, Debbie (Thomas) Bonnot of  Littleton, Colorado, Jeanne (Glenn) Walther of Lexington, Kentucky, and Mike (Carla) McDaniel of Bonnots Mill; nine grandchildren, Brother Nicholas Koenig, Laura (Kevin) Johnson, Benjamin (Samantha) Koenig, Matthew (Amanda) Koenig, Craig (Mindy) Bonnot, Brian (Sara) Bonnot, Katie (Brooke) Cassmeyer, Samuel (Kristina) Cassmeyer, and Connor McDaniel; and seven great-grandchildren Eleanor, Charlotte, and Lillian Johnson, Joseph and Julia Bonnot, Zoey Koenig, and baby Tucker Cassmeyer (due December 2022), as well as many nieces and nephews who were a big part of her life.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 28, 2022, at St. George Catholic Church in Linn. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Colin Franklin as the Celebrant.  Interment will follow at St. George Parish Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to St. George Catholic Church or ProMedica Hospice Foundations.

Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Linn, Missouri (897-2214)

www.mortonchapel.com