Ruth Leis

Ruth Florence Schafer-Leis, age 66, of Houghton Lake, passed away Thursday afternoon, Nov. 10, 2005 after a courageous seven year battle with breast cancer at her sisters home in rural Sheridan. The daughter of Earl & Reva (Roles) Jolly, she was born on Feb. 1, 1939 in Pompeii. She was a 1956 graduate of Ithaca High School. Besides raising her daughters, Ruth did a variety of things in her life including working as a demonstrator for Beeline Clothing and Pretty Punch Art. She had owned a fabric store in Middleton, as well as a bakery and bait shop in Houghton Lake where she baked and decorated many beautiful wedding cakes. For the past ten years, her true love of life was running a scroll saw making art objects to sell at craft shows. She was also a 4-H leader and a Sunday School teacher. For the past few seasons, Ruth was a devoted Crystal & I-96 raceway fan, as well as NASCAR. Surviving are three daughters, Paula & Rick Eyman of Williamsburg, Sandy & Steve Reid of Hutchinson, Minn., and Debra Dakin of Greenville; one grandson, Joshua Bopp; six granddaughters, Candy & Bill Fisher, Betsy & Jeremy Korpal, Miranda Grossman, Jessica Dakin, Natalie Ranieri, and Laura Ranieri; five great grandsons; three great granddaughters; and another great grandson due in March. Also surviving are three sisters, Frances & Ralph Snyder of Sheridan, Betty & Stub Antes of Newaygo, and Judy Jolly of Ithaca; several aunts and uncles; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Honoring Ruths wishes cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 14, 2005 at the Pompeii United Methodist Church, 135 Burton Street, Pompeii, with a luncheon to follow. A second service, for Ruths northern friends, is being planned at the Higgins Lake AmVets Hall. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given to Ruths family for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, a 60 mile/3-day walk Ruths girls have been walking annually as Ruthies Brats team in honor of their mother and grandmother. (Donations benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.) To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth Leis, please visit our flower store.