Mrs Ruth Marie Fabis

RUTH MARIE FABIS October 9, 1920 - June 16, 2014 Ruth Marie (Schiller) Fabis was born in Detroit, Michigan, October 9, 1920, to Margaret and August Schiller, the oldest of 10 children. Ruth was baptized at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan, and confirmed at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Detroit. Her confirmation verse is Isaiah 54:10. After graduating from Southwestern High School in 1938, Ruth worked for R. L. Polk, Inter City Trucking, and the American Legion in clerical positions -- typing and bookkeeping. On July 5, 1947, Ruth married Joseph Stanley Fabis at St. Stephen Lutheran Church. Ruth and Joe were blessed with four daughters and one son. While Joe worked hard at Ford Motor Company for 37.7 years, Ruth would, by the grace of God, follow her mom's example, and "raise her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, feeding their souls as well as their bodies." They lived in Taylor, Michigan for 50 years and had close neighbors like the Clays and the Williams. They were members of Mt. Hope Lutheran Church, Allen Park, Michigan for 48 years. Because Christian education was important to Joseph and Ruth, their 5 children attended Mt. Hope Lutheran School and then went on to Lutheran High School West in Detroit. Ruth loved her Lord Jesus, her family, and friends. In her children's eyes, one of her spiritual gifts was being a "prayer warrior." Her spiritual gift grew as she practiced it often. At different times, Ruth shared her special request to God that everyone in her family would be Christians and stay in the true faith. Ruth also taught Sunday School for some years to mentally impaired children. Her faith grew as she witnessed God's Spirit in those children. Besides her love of God, family, and friends, Ruth had a deep love for her country and freedom. Her patriotism was due, in part, from her father, August Schiller (born in Russia in 1894) where he experienced religious persecution and other tyranny under the Czar. Ruth's love of country and family compelled her to write letters to her brothers and others who fought in WWII. During her life, Ruth had various hobbies and interests such as: music (her family's and Andre Rieu), reading (esp. Portals of Prayer), watching Billy Graham crusades, cottage vacations with family, discussions about God, flower gardening, and various forms of art (sketching, painting, etc.). She enjoyed art classes and art fairs. As with prayer, her art was practiced often. We thank God for Ruth's art abilities (a gift for drawing). Besides personal paintings, Ruth's art work included church posters, special bulletins, church paintings, and Christmas cards for the Lutheran Children's Friend Society. Ruth also completed calligraphy pictures for each of her 17 grandchildren containing each one's confirmation verse. During Ruth's last four years, she received loving and outstanding care from the nurses and staff at Tendercare of Leelanau in Suttons Bay. We are joyful today because God has completed His work of art in Ruth, through our Lord Jesus Christ! Ruth is with the Lord in His perfect paradise, her eternal home. Praise the Lord! Ruth Marie Fabis, beloved wife to husband Joe for 57 years. Joe preceded Ruth in death on November 2, 2004. Loving mother of Judith (Edward) Morris, Shirley (Rodney) Goehmann, Thomas (Paula nee Trapp), Linda (Henry) Kalchik, and Marie (David) Brown. Also survived by 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Grandson, Jonathan Goehmann, preceded Ruth in death. Ruth was godmother of Kathleen Trongo and Vicki Haberman. Loving sister of Carl Schiller (deceased), Henry Schiller (deceased), Leonard Schiller, Margaret Schiller (deceased), Loraine Schiller (deceased), Dorothy Trongo, Frederick Schiller, William Schiller (deceased), and Richard Schiller.. Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Hope Lutheran Church, 5323 Southfield Rd., Allen Park, MI 48101.