Ruth Pauline Louise Sturm Graulich

Ruth Pauline Louise Sturm Graulich was born on May 8, 1934 in Mineola, New York. She passed away peacefully at her home on October 29, 2024. Her parents were Karl and Louise Deininger Sturm, both German immigrants who met on their way to the United States aboard the SS Hansa. When Ruth was 8 years old, her family relocated from their home in Hempstead, Long Island to their farm on North Grand Street in Cobleskill.

As a child Ruth helped her family on the farm by selling eggs from their chickens to the neighbors. Ruth begged her parents to allow her to begin taking piano lessons. She played the cello in the school orchestra and sang in the choir. After school Ruth worked for Nellie Gordon Crosby, a local attorney and lifelong friend. In 1951 Ruth graduated as the Cobleskill Central School Valedictorian and entered the workforce, working at General Electric in Schenectady as a proofreader of technical manuals for turbines.

In 1953, Ruth married Arthur Graulich of Carlisle. Together they grew and operated the family farm, Argus Acres, and raised their 5 children. When Art was elected Carlisle Town Supervisor, Ruth took on the town bookkeeping in addition to the managing the farm’s records.

Ruth was an active member of several different church congregations throughout her life. She served as church organist/pianist, taught Sunday School, served on church council and sang in the church choir. She especially enjoyed playing with the Zion Lutheran Handbell Choir and was one of its original members.

Ruth was a talented gardener, seamstress and baker. She was known for her wonderful baked goods and being a gracious hostess. Ruth spent years refinishing the woodwork in the 1830 farmhouse where she lived from age 19 until her death. Most importantly Ruth was a loving caregiver and mother. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Ruth is survived by her children: Linda (Ray) D’Arcangelis of Rotterdam, Joan (Jerry) Kolb of DeRuyter, David (Suzanne) Graulich of Cobleskill, Mary (Dan) Bates of Cobleskill and Lisa (Darren) Rowe of Rotterdam; her grandchildren: Esta (Mike Rizzuto) D’Arcangelis, Matt (Chao) D’Arcangelis, Amy Kolb, Maggie (Mike) Graham, Rosemary (Will) Frazee, Lara Graulich, Allen Graulich, Karl Graulich, Adam Bates, Eric Bates, Sarah Bates, Lauren Rowe, Owen Rowe and Hayden Rowe; her great-grandchildren: Scarlett Rizzuto, Violet Rizzuto, Natalia D’Arcangelis, Iria D’Arcangelis, Eliza Frazee and Samuel Frazee.

Ruth was predeceased by her parents Karl and Louise Sturm, her brother, Karl Sturm, and her beloved husband of 70 years, Arthur.

Special thanks to Ruth’s caregivers and Helios Hospice for the wonderful care they’ve provided her these past few years. Thank you also to the members of the Lawyersville Reformed Church for the visits, cards and prayers.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 from 10:00am-12:00pm at Lawyersville Reformed Church, 109 Phillip Schuyler Road, Cobleskill, NY. A funeral service will follow at Noon at the Church with Pastor Paul Ferenczy officiating,

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimers’ Association at act.alz.org or the Lawyersville Reformed Church, PO Box 421, Cobleskill, NY 12043.