Obituary: Ruth Mae (Warner) Freese, 94 of Ludington

Ruth Freese

Ruth Mae (Warner) Freese, 94 of Ludington, passed away in the comfort of her home on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Born on April 18, 1931, at the family home in Riverton Township, Ruth was the daughter of the late Samuel George and Bertha Elvie (Schumacher) Warner. She attended Ludington High School.

Ruth married Melvin Leroy Freese on Jan. 22, 1953. They had shared many years together filled with laughter and love. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting (making many treasured Afghans for her family), loved taking walks, watching the hummingbird, and making cookies. Blueberry muffins at the family reunion were always requested. The annual birthday lunch with Uncle Ray, Aunt Evelyn, and Aunt Bea meant so much to her and she looked forward to the tradition.

The cookie jar is a treasured memory for everyone. Never empty, always rotating everyone’s favorite flavor, even sending some all the way to Fort Benning in Georgia as they were the most missed item from home.

Mostly Ruth loved the children! Taking care of and loving not only her own grandchildren and great grandchildren, but also those special children of friends that she treasured so deeply.

She loved deeply, simply, and with no judgement. Such rare qualities these days. Everyone who met her knew she was sweet, kind, and special. Ruth loved to know the happenings of things and would always ask “what do you know?!”. Her smile would light up the whole room, and her little bit of stubborn streak would also make everyone pay attention.

Ruth’s favorite color was yellow (so fitting for her personality) and her favorite flower is the yellow rose. When you see the color yellow, please smile and think of our beautiful Mom and Gramms.

Ruth is survived by her children Connie Lange, Kevin Freese and Kenneth (Laura) Freese; grandchildren Lee (Heather) Lange, Sabrina (Jesse) Tyndall, Shannon Freese, Heather (Michael) Charles, and Trevor (Angela) Freese; great-grandchildren Mackenzie Savich, Madison Savich, Hunter Savich, Tanner Charles, Ellie Charles, Braxton Tyndall, Roseanna Freese, and soon to arrive Lillianna Freese; her sister Beatrice (Warner) Wilson; sisters-in-law Ann Freese and Janet Warner; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

We would like to take a moment to recognize Kevin and Connie for their dedicated and loving care of Mom in these last years. Many sacrifices have been made and so much love was given. Thank you for giving the very best to mom.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Melvin; father-in-law and mother-in-law Orval and Doris Freese; siblings Raymond Warner, Barbara Coon, Evelyn Weiner, and Reva Rocks; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Richard Weiner, Roger Wilson, Bert Coon, Jack Rocks, Norval Gene (Marva) Freese, Robert (Joyce) Freese, and Denny Freese.

A memorial service for Ruth will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Grace Funeral Home with visitation beginning at noon. Burial will follow at Center Riverton Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan.

The family would also like to thank the nurses and caregivers from Hospice of Michigan. With your help, mom’s request to stay home was able to happen. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services. www.GraceCremations.com