Long time former resident of Sturgis, Helen Ruth Lettau, as people know her as Ruthie, 66, took her journey to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at her home in Alvin, TX. She suffered a couple of years with renal kidney failure stage 5, and opted for home hospice in her closing days. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Claire Brothers Funeral Home in Houston. A service was held at Hope Tabernacle in Alvin, TX on May 8, 2021.

Ruth was born in Louisville, KY to Henry Roy Ulrich and Dorothy Mae (Edington) Ulrich on October 10, 1954. As a military brat, the family traveled extensively and lived in various places including Paris, France and Heilbronn, Germany. Her father retired and the family moved to Sturgis in 1968.

On July 15, 1977 Ruth married Lawrence "Larry" Lettau at Fort Meade and on January 19, 1989 they were blessed with their first daughter, Manessa Rose. Their second daughter, Betty Ruth, was born on March 17,1992. Dorothy Ulrich, a loving grandmother, cared for the girls often while Ruth was at work.

Prior to taking on the duties of child rearing, Ruth and Larry were able to visit the Holy Land in 1980 to include stops in Athens, Israel, and Jordan. In keeping with their dedication to serving others, Ruth and Larry helped establish Lighthouse Ranch for Boys in Loranger, LA, where Ruth did the cooking and laundry for 40 persons.

In 1985, Ruth and Larry moved back to Sturgis to assist with her ailing father, and Ruth worked at Boulder Canyon Restaurant in Sturgis. After health conditions forced Ruth out of cook duties, she worked under Shirley Horton at the Sturgis Senior Center and succeeded Shirley as RSVP director.

After changes in the RSVP program, Ruth finished her career at Premier Bank and GE Capital until retirement in March 2014 and moving to Alvin, Texas.

Leaving to cherish her memory are two daughters, Manessa (Josh) Nash of Alaska, and Betty Bland of Alvin, TX; siblings, Henry (Vicky) Ulrich, II of Sturgis, Herb (Nancy) Ulrich of Sturgis, Carol (John) Marvin of Sturgis, and Bobbie (Don) Hill of Alvin, TX; and spouse, Lawrence "Larry" Lettau of Alvin, TX. Grandchildren include Levi Bland, Joyce Bland, Oliver Nash, and Charlotte Nash. Ruth always cherished her daughters, grandchildren, family, and friends. She was always the light of the party.

On Sunday, June 27, 2021, a celebration of life will be held at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  The family requests that people not send flowers.