Ruth Watry

Ruth Evelyn Watry, 84, of Flower Mound, TX passed away Saturday, December 26, 2015. A Celebration of Life Mass was held Monday, January 11 at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Lewisville, TX followed by interment in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Grand Prairie, TX.
Ruth was born December 19, 1931 in Spring Grove, MN to Christian and Winifred Casey Teff. Ruth, the oldest of 12 children, grew up on a farm in Dorchester. She graduated from Waukon High School in 1949.
After moving to Janesville, WI, Ruth went to the Janesville Vocational School and was hired by General Motors for her exceptional comptometer abilities. She then married the love of her life, Earl Nicholas Watry, January 17, 1953 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Janesville, WI. Ruth and Earl were active members of St Mary’s Catholic Church in Janesville for many years, and here she enjoyed singing in the church choir.
In the summer of 1980, St. Pope John Paul II invited her to the Vatican as his guest. Ruth had an audience with the Pope at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.
Ruth retired after 20 years of employment with Wisconsin Bell, and soon after she and Earl moved to Fort Worth, TX to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Ruth was especially dedicated to her family, whom she loved and was loved by. She was a great cook who truly enjoyed politics, music, sports and conversation.
For many years, Ruth courageously fought diabetes and COPD. On her last full day, she spent Christmas giving generous gifts to her children, grandchildren and friends. Her great intelligence, integrity, honesty, moral toughness, sensitivity and spirituality stood out in a world lacking many of these qualities.
Ruth is survived by her children: David M. Watry of Irving, TX, Debra (Don) Weidenfeller of Spring, TX, and Dianne (Karl) Bilbrey of Flower Mound, TX; four grandchildren: Christopher Ross Nichols of Houston, TX, Michael Weidenfeller of Spring, TX, Rachel Weidenfeller of Spring, TX and Erin Nichols of Lewisville,TX; her sisters, Marianne (Walter) Mahr of Dorchester, Phyllis (Richard) Knopes of Janesville, WI, Marlene (Robert) Meiners of Caledonia, MN, Suzanne (Dennis) Breshnahan of Dorchester, Janet (William) Majhenich of Milwaukee, WI and Barbara (Mark) Williams of Lansing; her brothers, Harold (Donna) Teff of Savage, MN and John (Paula) Teff of San Tan Valley, AZ; her sisters-in-law, Jean Watry-Melsheimer of Port Washington, WI, Lorraine Watry of Port Washington, WI and Joan Watry of Neshkoro, WI; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Earl Watry; her parents, Christian and Winifred Teff; her brothers, Gerald Teff and Robert Teff; and her sister, Jean Fetting.
Guardian Funeral Home of Fort Worth, TX assisted the family.