Ruth Ida (Dietzel) Rudolph

Ruth Ida (Dietzel) Rudolph, age 92, of Methuen, MA passed away on June 22, 2025.

Ruth was born on January 24, 1933, in Wolfeboro, NH to William Herman Dietzel and Hulda Anna (Ortstein) Dietzel. Her father was a carpenter from Lawrence, MA and her mother was from Methuen, MA, working in the mills among other jobs. Ruth was raised in Effingham, NH where her parents moved for work.

Ruth attended Ossipee (NH) High School for three years and graduated from Kennet High School in Conway, NH in 1951. Inspired by a great teacher in her early education, Ruth attended Plymouth Teachers College, graduating in 1955 with a B.Ed. degree. After teaching fifth grade for three years, Ruth earned her Ed.M. degree in 1959 from Boston University. Ruth put teaching aside for a time to raise a family. In 1976, a private school was started at the church she was attending. For the next nine years, Ruth taught first grade and oversaw kindergarten at the school.

While at college in Boston, Ruth attended church in Newton, MA. It was there that she met Arthur Rudolph. They were married in 1960, settled in Burlington, MA, and raised five children. Ruth and Arthur had been married for 65 years when Arthur passed away – just two weeks before she joined him in heaven.

Having come to know Jesus as her Savior at a young age, Ruth was always active in church ministries such as Sunday School teacher, deaconess, and Bible class teacher.

Ruth and Arthur were avid campers and travelers. They drove their RV as far as Alaska, Mexico, and Canada – Ruth doing all the driving as Arthur was legally blind.  They covered nearly all the contiguous US states in their travels. Grandchildren frequently joined them on local camping trips. She also enjoyed sewing and gardening.

Ruth is survived by her daughter Ann (Rudolph) Mitchell and her husband James; son Jonathan Rudolph and his wife Karen (Ayers); Son Stephen Rudolph and his wife Susan (Nelson); daughter Alicia (Rudolph) Mitchell and her husband Steven; daughter Linda (Rudolph) Bond and her husband Timothy; nephew Michael Dietzel. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Arthur Rudolph; brother William Dietzel and his wife Jean (Cheney) Dietzel; niece Susan Dietzel.

Memorial Services for Ruth and Arthur will be held on Saturday, July 12, in the Salem Bible Church, 11 Ermer Road, Salem, NH, beginning at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Salem Bible Church, Salem, NH. For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com

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