Ruth von Schweinitz

North Augusta, SC - Ruth Elisabeth Ruhl Grafin von Schweinitz passed away peacefully, on February 28, 2022, surrounded by her children.

Predeceased by her husband, Siegfried Graf von Schweinitz, her father Heinrich Friedrich Ruhl, her mother Frieda Prohaska. She is survived by her sister Helga Jeremias, four children and twelve grandchildren: Dietrich Graf von Schweinitz, his wife, Sarah and children (Elisabeth (Nick), Julie, Georgina) Siegfried Graf von Schweinitz Jr., his wife, Joni and his children (Annaliese, Olivia) Helmut Graf von Schweinitz, his wife, Kimberly and children (Benjamin (Shaelyn), Rebecca, Sara, Andrew) Heidi Grafin von Schweinitz-Haerle, her husband, Brad and children (Stefan, Mary Peyton, Evan) and four great-grandchildren: Benjamin Caleb, Paul, Leo and Jacob.

A word that described Ruth throughout her life was selfless. Born in Munich, Germany on October 17,1930, Ruth was the second oldest of four siblings. At 19, after the death of her mother, she stepped in to care for her younger siblings and assume the management role of the farm employees at Gut Buchof and Gut Riem, the City of Munich state farms, of which her father was Managing Director. Ruth met her beloved husband, Siegfried, in 1946 when he came to intern at the farm. The two married on August 4,1951 and immigrated to the United States in September. During their two-week journey on the USS Hersey, she used her medical skills as a nurse to care for other immigrants.

Once settled in Columbia County, Ruth served as president of the Appling PTA, was Cub Scout Den Mother, volunteered for the underserved at the county clothing center and dental clinic. In addition to managing the family farm in Appling, she raised four children and cared for twenty-one foster children. Ruth and Siegfried’s farm hosted summer horseback riding camps, school field trips, church picnics and receptions for many organizations. She never turned away a stray and was a member of Columbia County Humane Society. Ruth and Siegfried were active members of the Belle Meade Hunt, Augusta Symphony and Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society.

Donations in Ruth’s memory can be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, any abused children or animal rescue organization.

The family will receive friends at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 from 5-7pm.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, March 3, 2022, 11:00am at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Roger Schwartz officiating. Burial will follow at Westover Memorial Park.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com