October 3, 1930 – May 31, 2024
Wife of Rev. Dorraine S. Snogren, Ruth L. Snogren passed away on May 31, 2024.
It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Ruth Ludmilla Snogren, who left this world peacefully on May 31, 2024 at the age of 93.
Born on October 3rd, 1930, to a Czech Brethren pastor George Paul Folta and Ludmilla Josephine Husek in Hazleton, PA who immigrated from then Czechoslovakia, Ruth lived a life devoted to her faith, family, and music. Growing up, Ruth was very close to her brother John. They had many shared interests, both were avid swimmers and divers, working as lifeguards. Ruth attended Wooster College in Ohio 1948-1952 studying Christian education. While at college, she played flute in the band. Later she became a director of Christian Education in Youngstown, Ohio in 1952-1953. A woman of faith and desiring missionary work like her brother John, Ruth attended Biblical Seminary in NYC in 1953-1955. There she met Dorraine Snogren who was studying for the Methodist ministry. They married on August 26, 1955. The following year they made Michigan their home.
Ruth was a devoted wife and a loving mother to her 4 sons: Eric, John Mark, Kyle, and Dean. Ruth and Dorraine made the Christian faith a foundation of their marriage and family. The pair were a team, Dorraine as a pastor and Ruth as an organist and a choir director in Churches in Onaway, then West Branch, and finally in Flint’s Calvary United Methodist Church. She was a great cook which she passed down to her children. Snogren dinners were famous among friends and family. Ruth did not like to be idle, always housekeeping, managing active boys and crocheting while watching TV. Ruth had a passion for music and always had it playing at home. She taught her children and grandchildren piano. All four boys learned musical instruments and played them in church. She wrote several choral songs which have been published.
She loved the national parks. Being Dorraine’s navigator (no GPS back then), she loved summer vacations in Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, and the Grand Tetons to name a few. She loved to camp, hike, swim, ice skate, ski, and sing songs around the campfire. She loved birds and could whistle well.
Upon retirement in 1991 Ruth and Dorraine moved to Wentworth, NH to live close to Father Andrew and family. She was a member of the Pemigewasset Choral Society in NH for many years. Desiring a more traditional expression of their faith, following the path of their sons, both Ruth and Dorraine joined the Orthodox faith and ended her life in communion with the Orthodox Church.
In 2014, Ruth and Dorraine built an extension onto Kyle’s house in Bethel, ME. They enjoyed the outdoors, and spending time with loving family and dear friends. Ruth and Dorraine loved to take walks and were often seen in town walking hand in hand. Ruth continued wowing us with her piano playing to her final days and lived in love and care till the end.
As we mourn the loss of our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Ruth Ludmila Snogren, we celebrate a life well-lived, and a woman deeply loved. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, patience, and enduring memories. Her spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing her.
She is survived by her sons and family Eric/Fr Andrew (Sandra/Alexandra) granddaughter Krista (Tom Moriarty) great-grandchildren Thomas, Aidan, and Declan; granddaughter Hilarie (Gardner Foss) great-grandchildren Benjamin and Brooke; son John Mark/Fr Juvenally (Valerie), grandson Nicholas (Anna) great-grandchildren John, Vasili, Thomas; grandson Thomas (Ruth) and great-granddaughter Justina; son Kyle (Chrys) granddaughter Ruth-Georgia; and son Dean (Anya), granddaughter Tamara (Tonny Wu) and granddaughter Natasha.
Ruth is predeceased by her parents, brothers George and John, and sister-in-law Eleanor Snogren.
A special thanks to her PA Jessamy Hathaway, Androscoggin/Andwell Hospice Care, her nurse Allison, and aids/friends Catelynn, Judy, Janet W., Wendy, Linda, Nikki, Echoo, Janet C., and Lauren.
Visiting hours will be held at the Bethel United Methodist Church on 75 Main St in Bethel, ME on June 17 from 4-6pm followed by a funeral service on June 18 at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the BUMC for the Church Renovation Fund in memory of Ruth or the Bethel Rotary for music/arts educational assistance in memory of Ruth Snogren.
Please join us in remembering and celebrating the extraordinary life of Ruth Ludmila Snogren. May her soul rest in peace, and may her memory be eternal and continue to be a source of comfort and inspiration to us all.
Ruth’s service will be live-streamed at Chandler Funeral Homes.
Last Updated on June 20, 2024