Ruth Ann Wittenburg

Ruth Ann (Ruthy) Gripon Wittenburg died on January 17, 2024 at the age of 91, surrounded by her family.  She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.  Ruthy was born on April 5, 1932 in Houston, Texas to Lee and Ruth Gripon.  Ruthy spent most of her young life in Houston attending camp every summer in Hunt at Camp Arrowhead.  When she was 12 her father, a civil engineer, rejoined the army and was sent to Germany.  As a result, Ruthy spent a good deal of time living and traveling in Europe.  She even attended Heidelberg High School in Germany where she and other students were featured in Life Magazine.  Upon returning from Germany, she spent time at Hockaday School for Girls in Dallas before her family settled in Lampasas.  Ruthy quickly acclimated to small town life and was a cheerleader, member of the Slap Happy Seven and State President of the Future Homemakers of America.  Ruthy graduated salutatorian from Lampasas High School in 1951 and attended the University of Texas briefly (only because they didn't allow women in A&M).  From a young age, Ruthy told her mother she dreamed of marrying a cowboy.  Ruthy met her cowboy, the love of her life, Joe Morgan Wittenburg, and they married in May of 1952.  After another few years in Germany as a married couple, they began their life together on Joe's family ranch.

After ten happy years of marriage, Ruthy and Joe began adopting children: David was first, born in 1962, Donna followed in 1964.  Alex joined the family in 1967, then Leslie followed in 1969.  Then, after 19 years of marriage and four children, Ruthy gave birth to Michelle in 1971.

Ruthy devoted her life to her family, friends and her faith.  She enjoyed all of the school activities that came with five children.  She loved spending time with her friends in supper club and even though she started married life not knowing how to cook, she became a very good cook and hostess.  She especially loved the mountains and spending time in Ruidoso with Joe and making memories with her kids, grandkids and friends.

She leaves behind four children and their spouses, Donna Wittenburg, Alex (Rita) Wittenburg, Leslie (Kevin) Spraggins, Michelle Wittenburg and a daughter-in-law, Cindy Wittenburg.

Ruthy is a proud grandmother of: Kristen Wittenburg, Tara (Jeff) Garnett, Leyna (Tim) Brewer, Kenda (Kyle) Southern, Brynn Wittenburg, Lauren, Grayson and Aidan Spraggins and Laura Beth (Anthony) Henniger and Caleb, Joshua and Matthew Wittenburg.  She leaves behind great-grandchildren: Jackman, Wyatt, Briggs and Elle Garnett, Ellis Bingham and Gracen Brewer.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Ruth Gripon, her husband of 66 years, Joe and her son, David.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel Lampasas from 5 to 7 pm.  A funeral mass will be held on Monday, January 22, 2024 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Lometa at 10 am with interment immediately following at Senterfitt Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Catholic Church or a charity of your choice.