Ruth Menkhaus
October 12, 1918 — January 15, 2016
Ruth Williamson Menkhaus, 97, of Lawrenceburg Indiana, formerly a long-time resident of Independence and Taylor Mill Kentucky, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 15, 2016 after several months of declining health.
Ruth was born in Miamitown, Ohih in 1918 and moved to Northern Kentucky when she married her husband, Robert “Bob” where both she and her husband were very well-known in the Taylor Mill community, operating the only full service grocery store for miles around. Everyone in the area knew and shopped at “Bob’s Market”, well before modern chain groceries arrived in the area. After they closed the store and retired up the road in Independence and prior to Bob’s death, Ruth and Bob enjoyed golfing, playing cards and spending several winters in Leesburg, Florida.
She was a die-hard UK basketball fan, watching and critiquing every game and player from her living room TV, and even after losing her eyesight, she kept up with the team, listening to games on the radio. She was also an active member of the Lady Republicans group and could debate the political issues better than most candidates on the stage. Prior to her move from Independence Kentucky to the Ridgewood Assisted Living Facility in Lawrenceburg, Ruth could be seen on her riding lawnmower and doing heavy gardening and house maintenance, including climbing step ladders to wash windows, hang curtains, or paint well into her 90’s.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Robert F. Menkhaus; sister, Virginia Metzger; and brothers, Paul Williamson and Russell Williamson.
She is survived by son, John Menkhaus, Sr. (Susan) of Atlanta Georgia; and daughter, Rebecca Nutley (Dennis) of Dillsboro Indiana; four grandchildren, John Jr. Menkhaus, Timothy Menkhaus, Christopher Nutley and Keith Nutley; and seven great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the Ridgewood facility for their caring and quality service while Ruth was a resident and most recently the caring support of Our Hospice of South Central Indiana. Additionally, the family thanks the friends and neighbors who assisted Ruth in her home prior to her move to the assisted living facility, delivering groceries, meals and more.
There will be no interment, as Ruth made the decision to have her remains donated to University of Cincinnati Department of Anatomy for medical research and study; therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 297 Buttermilk Pike, Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017 or a favorite charity of donor’s choice.
A memorial service is being planned for a later date.
Middendorf-Bullock Funeral Home, Covington is serving the family.