Ruth Elaine Parker

Ruth Elaine Parker, nee Schmieding, age 82 of Fullerton, California entered heaven on July 11, 2018.

Born in Beatrice, Nebraska, Ruth graduated from Seward High School in 1953, Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Neb. in 1957, and later earned a master's degree in Special Education from California Lutheran University.

A teacher for 43 years, she taught elementary grades in Miami, FL and southern California, retiring from Beatty Elementary in Buena Park, CA as a resource specialist. She was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society of retired educators, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, and Zion Lutheran Church in Anaheim, CA, where she sang in the choir and helped with Braille ministries.

She was preceded in death by her husband Edward Lee Parker III, parents, Herman and Gertrude, nee Roesler, and one brother, James Schmieding.

Surviving are her children, Benjamin (Maria) Parker II of Placentia, CA; Rachel (Leslie) Van Exel of Costa Mesa, CA; her step-son Edward (Peggy) Parker IV of Brundidge, AL; sister, Mary Ann Steinbeck of Seward, NE; brother John (Suzanne) Schmieding of Belleville, IL; sister-in-law Nancy Schmieding of Broomfield, CO; and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.