Donna Ruth Fogt, age 93, formerly of Marion, went to be with the Lord on Monday, July 20, 2015, at Walnut Hills Retirement Community in Walnut Creek, Ohio, where she had lived since July of 2008.
On September 3, 1921, Donna Ruth was born to Harvey E. Sinning and Matilda (nee Leffler) Sinning in Marion, Ohio, in the house her father built. Prior to her death, she was the last surviving child of the original Frederich Leffler family of Marion Township.
After graduating from Marion Harding High School in 1939, she enrolled in Capital University and earned her BA in education in 1943. At Emanuel Lutheran Church in Marion, on June 24, 1944, she married Norman W. Fogt, who was on leave from the U.S. Navy. They lived in Glendale, California, until 1946, when they moved to her hometown of Marion. They shared over sixty-four wonderful years of marriage until his death in 2009.
Donna Ruth began her teaching career at Grand Prairie and Caledonia, and taught Latin and English over twenty years in the Marion City Schools before her retirement in 1977. She was chosen as a Jennings Scholar for her excellence in teaching. For her, teaching was a calling.
Donna Ruth was a faithful member of Emanuel Lutheran Church all of her life. She was very active and extremely dedicated to the church in numerous capacities including Junior Mission Band Leader, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher and pianist, choir member, and President of Women of the Church and Circle leader.
Donna Ruth liked gardening and was a charter member and officer of the Garden Path Garden Club for over 50 years. After being a Girl Scout herself, she shared her experiences as a Girl Scout troop leader. As a Lady Lion, she had further opportunities for service. She was a life member and honorary life member of the Marion County Historical Society and gave many hours as a docent and project volunteer.
Donna Ruth enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family. Most recent special remembrances were trips to the Smoky Mountains for her 60th anniversary and Norman’s 90th birthday, and her 90th birthday celebration.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter and son-in-law, Vickie Sue and Rev. Robert Groenke of Ashland, OH; son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Sandra Fogt of Kansas City, MO; four grandchildren include: Rev. Matthew (Julie) Groenke of Twinsburg, OH, Dr. Melinda (Kevin) Wonsick of West Jefferson, NC, Daniel (Lissa Staley) Fogt of Topeka, KS, and Jonathan (Sara) Fogt of Parkville, MO; nine great-grandchildren: Adam, Elijah, Rebecka, Jeremiah, Thomas, Kivrin, Grace, Abbigail and Travis; four brothers-in-law, Carl Fogt of Van Wert, OH, Herbert Jr. (Ada) Fogt of Troy, OH, Rev. Eugene (Mona) Fogt of Sugarland, TX, and Robert Mays of Kettering, OH; a sister-in-law, Ruby Cecil of Brownsburg, IN; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Including her parents and husband, Donna Ruth was preceded in death by infant sisters: Mary Ann and Virginia; brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Virgil and Carolyn Fogt; sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Miriam and Charlie Holtkamp; sisters-in-law: Wilda Fogt, Doris Mays, and Fae Fogt; brother-in-law, Richard Cecil; and a great-granddaughter, Madison.
Services celebrating Donna Ruth’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2015, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 241 S. Prospect St., Marion, with her son-in-law and grandson proudly officiating, Rev. Robert Groenke Jr. and Rev. Matthew Groenke. Her family will greet friends from 11 – 1 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow in Marion Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Emanuel Lutheran Church, c/o Radio Fund, 241 S. Prospect St., Marion, OH 43302, or to the Marion County Historical Society, 168 E. Church St., Marion, OH 43302.
On behalf of her family, they would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone at Walnut Hills Retirement Community for their tender loving care of Donna Ruth, and for making her feel like family. Also, a heartfelt “thank you” to the kind caregivers of Wayne / Holmes Hospice.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Donna Ruth’s family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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