"Always thinking of others first- Ruth Lois , was a shining example for Jesus Christ. Besides my sister, she was one of the remaining links to my father and one I treasure."
In loving memory of
Ruth Lois (Essex) Daehler
April 12, 1930 - November 3, 2020
Ruth Lois Daehler, age 90, passed away on November 3, 2020, at her home in The Terraces in Phoenix, Arizona, after a 4 month struggle with Covid. She was preceded in death by her dear husband Verne Evans Daehler. She is the last of her immediate family, but is survived by 2 of Verne's brothers and their wives: Bob and Marjorie Daehler, and David and Norma Daehler. Ruth also was a doting aunt and has ten close nieces and nephews, many of whom were able to talk with her on the day of her passing.
Ruth was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 12, 1930, and moved to Phoenix at the age of 12 with her parents Irvin Leon and Mary Minnie (Watson) Essex and her brother Paul Edward.
After graduating from Wheaton College, she and Verne met at the Phoenix First Baptist Church and were married on February 6, 1954. They continued to be very active at the church and for over 25 years taught and mentored the Junior Highs there. Besides teaching Christian principles, they did many activities with the teens including camping trips to climb Mt. Whitney and hiking the Grand Canyon. A number of these young people have remained close to Ruth and Verne into their adult lives. These young people's stories were proudly shared and they were remembered through photos through out their home.
Ruth worked for 35 years at the Valley National Bank where she had many friends and colleagues. She retired with the title of Corporate Officer, a rare honor for a woman at the time. Outside of her career, she had a love for animals, music-making, and Christianity. Collie dogs and cats were constant companions in her home and she fondly remembered her first collie, Lassie, in her final days. As a child she learned to play the harp and continued to play it for a while as an adult. In the spirit of giving, she organized and supported her husband's regular hand bell concerts in nursing homes and cafeterias during the Christmas season. At these concerts and in church she loved welcoming guests and catching up on their lives.
Christianity was a life time focus of Ruth's. She and Verne were enthusiastic and faithful members of Phoenix First Baptist Church and later in life attended the Living Springs Church. After retirement, they moved to The Terraces of Phoenix where they had an active life and attended the chapel there. After Verne's death, Ruth continued her many projects to help others including visiting those in need of a friend, mentoring students, calling Bingo and leading the choir for the chapel.
Ruth's body was laid to rest next to her beloved husband's in the Veteran's National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. We loved her dearly and will miss her greatly.
A zoom memorial service will be held for her on December 6, 2020, at 2PM MST. Donations in her name to: awellfedworld.org, your local animal welfare group, or Wheaton College @ wheaton.edu would be a fitting memorial.
Tributes
"My mother, JoAnne Martin, was honored to receive the announcement of the passing of Ruth. My mother may have in fact known of her passing before most anybody else, since she was herself in Heaven to greet her. Warmest wishes to the family. Gary (son of William and JoAnne Martin.)"
"Cindy (Treat) Wright Dec. 11, 2020 When I think about Ruth (and Verne), I don?t even know where to start. What an important part of my life they played during those critical years when I was in Junior High. I remember them both as fun-loving and humble and encouraging, and always full of God?s love for us young people. Never could I thank them enough, as those years were difficult and confusing at times for me?it was the 60?s, after all--and they offered consistent, loving acceptance. Ruth and Verne always loved us like we were their own. I remember when they were taking the Junior Highers on the trip to the Grand Canyon, I was with my family vacationing near Flagstaff. They arranged a pick-up spot with my folks part-way along their route, so that I wouldn?t miss out on that fabulous trip. I will never forget how Verne came to Rochester, NY, where my sister Charlene was in the hospital, to play his bells for her. This lovely act removed some of the sting of her heartbreaking illness, just for a while. Ruth came to our rescue when my mom was having difficulty accepting a big move from the Terraces to a group home. She?and her eternally upbeat attitude--showed up at the exact right moment to give my mom (Ruth Treat) the pep talk she needed to feel at peace about the move. I hold Ruth close in my heart, thinking of how beloved she is to so many. I?m comforted in knowing that Verne, and my parents, and my siblings David and Charlene, and so many others are in heaven to greet her, and they are probably even having a big celebration up there. I picture Ruth now able to see all the ripples of her life, and her glorious impact on so many! May the blessings continue. "
"Ruth Daehler, along with her husband, Verne, were instrumental in my learning to follow Jesus as Lord. She not only loved me, but loved my wife and children, showing an interest in our lives every time that we met. Ruth gave me the nickname Derf (my name spelled backwards) when I was in Junior High and called me that ever after."
"I can\'t say enough about Ruthie! She was a great friend to my mom and a mentor to myself and my sis. I was just thinking.....it was always said \"Ruth and Verne\"! I went on many adventures with them including the Grand Canyon, Mt. Whitney ,Yosemite and so many other happenings. I am a much better person because of those times with Ruth and Verne. I have a DVD that I made a few years ago, I will try to get some of those photos posted. I was dubbed with the nickname \"Poco\" I wore my hair in pigtails when we were camping. I love you Ruthie!"
"Ruthie, we 3 Darby girls are so grateful for you and Verne helping to shape our Christian lives through Junior High. I remember you leading the Junior High kids for bible study in the Women\'s Parlor of FBC downtown. Our family went with you, Verne and the Junior High group to Mt. Whitney when Patty was in Jr. High and I went on a Grand Canyon trip. Verne gave Patty the nickname \'Christmas\' because she wore red and green one time and he nicknamed me \'Breathless\' after I sat at the back of a tobogan with snow flying in my face at the Snowbowl. Cindy Darby also benefited from you and Verne helping with the youth at 1st Baptist, but I don\'t remember specifics well from then. Thank you for those wonderful times in Junior High with you and Verne. The Darbys , as well as many other families at FBC, were loved and influenced by you. We have much love for you from all of us. Karen Bradakis"
"Thankyou Dear Ruth for being so good to me when I was entering Junior High! You and Verne were exactly what I needed! Thankyou for your friendship with my Mother! Rest In Peace sweet Ruth your a good and faithful Servant!"