Lydia Marie Ruttman
Lydia Marie (Bowers) Ruttman passed away on September 24th, 2024, just thirty-seven days shy of her 100th birthday. She was born on October 31st, 1924, to Dorr and Louise Bowers in Pontiac, Michigan. She graduated from Howell High School in 1942 and began working for a car dealership as a bookkeeper. Around this time, Lydia joined the Livingston County Junior Farm Bureau. as secretary, and she began working closely with the club’s president, Robert “Bob” Ruttman. After a nice courtship, the couple wed on June 1st, 1946, and settled down on Bob’s family dairy farm on South Gregory road in Iosco Township. In 1950, the couple welcomed a daughter, Lucinda, followed by Rebecca in 1952 and then son, Mark, in 1955.
Lydia was a member of the Greene Church, followed by Trinity United Methodist Church. She was a part of Fellowship, was a UMYF leader and volunteered for several committees and organizations within the church. She was a member of the Friendly Neighbors Circle of the International Order of The King's Daughters & Sons and held many offices at the local and state level. Lydia was a member of the Order of the Eastern Stars and had recently received her 75th Anniversary pin. She was also a member of the Lucky Eleven Club, the neighborhood social group.
In 1974, Bob and Lydia sold their share of the family farm and joined the Peace Corps. They traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal, where they were stationed for two years. During their time overseas, the couple made numerous friends from all over the world who are still considered “almost family” to this day. Lydia always remembered her time in the Peace Corps fondly and talked about it often.
In 1985, the couple retired to Lewiston, Mi, where Lydia was very active in her community church, Eastern Stars of Atlanta, Lewiston Farm & Garden Club and many others. In 2015, the couple moved back to Fowlerville to be closer to family. Lydia loved cleaning, gardening, hunting, playing card games, watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, watching the Michigan State Spartans and spending time with her family and friends.
Lydia is survived by her daughter, Cindy (Fred) Krebs of Fowlerville; son, Mark (Kate) Ruttman of Newago; and “adopted” daughter, Kathy (Dennis) Graves of Eaton Rapids. Eleven grandchildren: Dianne Dvorak, Jodi Graves, Peter Browning, Shawn Davenport, John Ruttman, Elizabeth McVicker, Nancy Krebs, Robert Browning, Rick Krebs, Mary Chapin, and Martha Bakker, twenty-six great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews, and close friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert, and her daughter Becky (Harold) Browning.
Visitation will be held at Hermann Funeral Home on October 10th from 9am-noon, with the funeral immediately following. Burial will take place in Munsell Cemetery. Memorials can be sent to the Heart To Heart Foundation (Hospice) or to the Fowlerville District Library.
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