Ruth A. Leister
December 23, 1921 — May 19, 2015
Ruth A. Leister
On Tuesday, May 19, 2015, Ruth Humbert Leister went to join her loving husband of 68 years, Kenneth W Leister. He had preceded her in death in 2008. She also joins her daughter, Jacqueline, a grandson, Michael Forsythe, and a sister, Naomi Karterman.
Born December 23, 1921, in Hanover, PA, she was the daughter of David F. Humbert Sr. and Hilda Troxell Humbert.
Ruth was an entrepreneur, interior designer, and a jack-of-all-trades. She especially loved decorating for the Christmas Holiday. Ruth loved sharing her many talents like sewing, crafting, and knitting with her friends and family. She taught her children to be thrifty and was always looking for a “good deal”.
Ruth shared her husband’s dream of repairing and building furniture. The business eventually became Leisters Furniture, Inc. Her son, Thomas, is now president of the business.
Having lived in Hanover her entire life, Ruth was proud of her community and was an active member of the class of ’39. She was a leader of the Brownies, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. She was a charter member and president of the Young Wives Club and a member of the Garden Club at the YWCA.
Ruth worked at Nace’s Appliance Store where she demonstrated sewing machines and then shared her talents with her daughters. Many times you could see her three girls dressed alike in dresses she had designed and made. She also designed and smocked children’s dresses for a specialty store, The May Pearl.
Her faith was important to her. Ruth taught Bible School and along with her husband, instituted the Dial A Prayer program. She was a member of St.Matthew Lutheran Church.
In 1997, Ruth was presented the Public Service Award for outstanding voluntary service to the community for over 50 years.
Ruth is survived by her daughters, Rebecca Albrecht and her husband, David, Sally Howe, and her husband John, and one son, Thomas Leister and his wife, Vicki, all of Hanover; eight grandchildren, Debra Littleson, David and Joshua Forsythe, Lisa Mauss, Jessie Brairton, Katie Heird, and Megan and Matthew Leister; and nine great-grandchildren, Amy and Jacqueline Littleson, Clayton and Brooks Forsythe, Alexis and Luke Brairton, Jackson and Zachary Heird, and Ayden McGinley, a brother, David F. Humbert Jr and his wife, Virginia, and a sister, Kas Wilbur and her husband, Harold.
The celebration of Ruth’s life will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 30 W Chestnut St., Hanover, PA. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:30. A luncheon will be served at the church following the service. Burial will be private at Rest Haven Cemetery.
Ruth loved bright colors. Please wear yours to celebrate her life!
If you would like to make a memorial contribution, may we suggest the Hanover YWCA, 23 W Chestnut St., or the Hanover Guthrie Library, 2 Library Pl, Hanover, PA 17331.
“If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well!”
PDF Printable Version
Born December 23, 1921, in Hanover, PA, she was the daughter of David F. Humbert Sr. and Hilda Troxell Humbert.
Ruth was an entrepreneur, interior designer, and a jack-of-all-trades. She especially loved decorating for the Christmas Holiday. Ruth loved sharing her many talents like sewing, crafting, and knitting with her friends and family. She taught her children to be thrifty and was always looking for a “good deal”.
Ruth shared her husband’s dream of repairing and building furniture. The business eventually became Leisters Furniture, Inc. Her son, Thomas, is now president of the business.
Having lived in Hanover her entire life, Ruth was proud of her community and was an active member of the class of ’39. She was a leader of the Brownies, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. She was a charter member and president of the Young Wives Club and a member of the Garden Club at the YWCA.
Ruth worked at Nace’s Appliance Store where she demonstrated sewing machines and then shared her talents with her daughters. Many times you could see her three girls dressed alike in dresses she had designed and made. She also designed and smocked children’s dresses for a specialty store, The May Pearl.
Her faith was important to her. Ruth taught Bible School and along with her husband, instituted the Dial A Prayer program. She was a member of St.Matthew Lutheran Church.
In 1997, Ruth was presented the Public Service Award for outstanding voluntary service to the community for over 50 years.
Ruth is survived by her daughters, Rebecca Albrecht and her husband, David, Sally Howe, and her husband John, and one son, Thomas Leister and his wife, Vicki, all of Hanover; eight grandchildren, Debra Littleson, David and Joshua Forsythe, Lisa Mauss, Jessie Brairton, Katie Heird, and Megan and Matthew Leister; and nine great-grandchildren, Amy and Jacqueline Littleson, Clayton and Brooks Forsythe, Alexis and Luke Brairton, Jackson and Zachary Heird, and Ayden McGinley, a brother, David F. Humbert Jr and his wife, Virginia, and a sister, Kas Wilbur and her husband, Harold.
The celebration of Ruth’s life will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 30 W Chestnut St., Hanover, PA. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:30. A luncheon will be served at the church following the service. Burial will be private at Rest Haven Cemetery.
Ruth loved bright colors. Please wear yours to celebrate her life!
If you would like to make a memorial contribution, may we suggest the Hanover YWCA, 23 W Chestnut St., or the Hanover Guthrie Library, 2 Library Pl, Hanover, PA 17331.
“If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well!”
PDF Printable Version
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