MAPLE CITY- Ruth J.

Nemitz, 88, passed away on Friday, May 15th, 2026, at Munson Hospice House.

Ruth was born on July 11, 1937, in the Detroit area. When she was nearly 20 years old, she was set up on a blind date with Norman Nemitz, whom she married on November 2, 1957. She became a mother in 1959 with the birth of her daughter Carol and later had two sons, Kevin and Randy. Ruth was a stay-at-home mother and at times she also babysat other children.

In 1976 when their children were teenagers they moved north to some property they had purchased in Maple City. She often said she was a city girl that married a farm boy; but it was obvious she became very fond of their life ‘up north’. She spent some time cleaning houses and later did laundry at the Leland Lodge. She always said she didn’t mind doing laundry and could never understand when people would let it pile up.

As her family grew, she loved taking her three granddaughters, Lisa, Amy, and Jessica downstate on shopping trips. Not one to miss out on fun, she is remembered for ice skating with her kids on local roads after an ice storm, and for roller skating with her grandkids in the basement! As she got older, she became very comfortable striking up conversations with strangers and getting to know people wherever she went. Once her husband retired, they traveled to Florida for the winter. They met many great friends from across the country and enjoyed attending shows and various campground activities like bingo and dances.

Ruth is survived by Norman, her husband of 68 years; her son Randy Nemitz; her sonin- law, Bill McNeil; five grandchildren, Scott (Alicia) McNeil, Lisa ( Jeff ) Miller, Amy (Tom) Miller, Matthew Nemitz, and Jessica Nemitz; and eight greatgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Carol McNeil, her son Kevin Nemitz, and her daughter-in-law, Lynette Nemitz. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 5th at the Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 6th at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cedar with visitation starting at 10 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service.

Memorials may be directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 2943 S. Manitou Trail, Cedar, MI 49621.

Please share condolences and memories with Ruth’s family at www.martinson.info. Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.