Ruth Dawn Congdon

With hearts full of love and gratitude for a life well lived, we say goodbye to Ruth "Ruthie" Congdon, who joined her Lord in heaven on July 18, 2022 at the age of 92. She was born on August 11, 1929 in Wausau Wisconsin to Paul and Sara Buntrock. Seven years later, she was joined by her brother, John, and the two remained close for the rest of their lives. After graduating high school, she attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where she studied Occupational Therapy. While working in the University Hospital, she met a young man, Clyde Congdon, who was completing a post doctorate in clinical psychology there. The two had a whirlwind courtship and married only a few months after they began dating. Their marriage would last for 63 years. The two eventually settled in Pasadena, California after Clyde accepted a private practice position with a pediatric medical group in 1961. Seven years later, they welcomed the arrival of their daughter, Alisa.

While Ruth cherished motherhood, she also pursued several hobbies, including her lifelong love of music and games of all sorts. She and Clyde enjoyed playing mixed doubles tennis, but Ruth especially loved defeating him in one-to-one matches! She was an active member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Pasadena. When her dear friend and church music director, Silke Sauppe, co-founded the Pasadena Conservatory of Music in the church Sunday school rooms, Ruth volunteered her time and effort to help launch the school. It grew increasingly successful, eventually enabling Ruth to accept a paid position as registrar and office manager. Ruth remained at the Conservatory until retiring in the mid 1990's. At that time, the school had an enrollment of over 1000 and was established in a new location with its own dedicated buildings.

Ruth and Clyde always enjoyed camping and spent their retirement years exploring California State Beaches – often with Ruth's younger brother and his wife, Maria. She loved to laugh and play and was an active and involved mother and grandmother. She especially loved to play make believe games with her grandchildren – and often ended up needing a nap more than they did! As her grandkids grew older, she became their biggest fan at their swim meets, baseball and water polo games.

Ruth died peacefully due to complications of Alzheimer's, which she battled during her final years. She was a wonderful wife, mother, aunt and grandmother. She is survived by many loved ones including her husband, Clyde, daughter and son-in-law, Alisa and Robert Coad, grandchildren, Erin and Evan, and her niece, Brenda Stevens.