Ruth Katherine Newland

Age 100, passed away Friday, May 15, 2020 at Park Village Pines in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Ruth was born October 24, 1919 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the daughter of Emma Katherine (Spiess) and Benjamin John Zahn Sr. On November 27, 1946 she was married to Gail D. Newland, and they spent the next 56 years together. After the birth of their daughter, Elaine, they moved from Ann Arbor to Jackson, Michigan where their younger daughter Ann was born and where Ruth worked as an executive secretary at Jacobson's Central Office. They remained in Jackson for more than thirty years before moving to Fort Myers, Florida, returning to Kalamazoo, Michigan to be near family in 2001. After Gail's passing in 2002, Ruth spent the next eleven years at Spring Manor Apartments before moving to Park Village Pines, Assisted Living in Kalamazoo in 2013. Ruth had an active and fun filled life. She was active in the PTA and League of Women Voters, also at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Jackson and St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Portage. She enjoyed the Guys and Dolls Dance Club, bowling and golf leagues in Jackson and more golf leagues at The Forest Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida. In Kalamazoo, Ruth loved being a member of The Red Hat Society and her bible study groups. At Park Village Pines, she never missed a chance to join the group on bus trips to places like Meijer Gardens, Gull Meadow Farms, Shipshewana, South Haven for dinner at Clementines, sunsets at Lake Michigan, many dinners and lunches and Mystery Trips. Ruth loved traveling, gardening and nature with walks in the woods each spring to hunt for Trillium. Ruth was a loyal friend to many, and she especially cherished time with her family, who loved and adored her and will miss her dearly. Ruth is survived by her daughter Elaine (Steve) Ginsberg, Richland, Michigan, her grandchildren, Aimee (Brian) Greenfield, Rocky River Ohio, Nick (Wendy) Ginsberg, Wyoming, Michigan, her great grandchildren, Joey and Ben Greenfield and Maia and Parker Ginsberg, also by sisters-in-law Francis Zahn, Indiana and Shearon Newland, Arizona, several nieces and nephews and many cousins. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Gail Newland, her daughter Ann Newland, her granddaughter Allison Ginsberg, her parents, her sisters Louella Mahr and Betty Jones and her brother Benjamin Zahn Jr. Cremation has taken place at Muelig Funeral Chapel, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Interment at Fairview Cemetery, Ann Arbor and a memorial service to be held later. Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, Park Village Pines Assisted Living, Kalamazoo, MI or Saint Michaels Lutheran Church, Portage, MI. www.muehligannarbor.com