Virginia Ruth (Butler) Stebing

Virginia Ruth Butler Stebing departed this life peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, at the Betz Nursing Home in Auburn. She was 97 years old.

She was born Feb. 21, 1921, to Ford and Ruth Butler of Noble County. “Ginny” graduated from Kendallville High School and Tri-State Business College in Angola.

She married the true love of her life, Walter Edward Stebing, on March 31, 1941. They raised their young family of five children in Auburn. Walt’s job with Dana Corporation next took them to Toledo, Ohio, in 1957, then to Hagerstown, Indiana, in 1965. They retired to Cookeville, Tennessee, in 1985 and finally to Fort Wayne in 1995.

Ginny was a devoted wife, mother, sister and friend, always active in the Lutheran Church, her children’s schools, and various civic groups. She had an artistic flair, wacky sense of humor, and love of gardening. She and Walt traveled widely, mainly to spend time with their far-flung family. Their grandchildren loved to visit “Grandma Ginny,” who spoiled them with her cookies, abundant food, games, funny stories, and wild adventures.

After Walt’s death in 2000, early signs of Alzheimer’s began to appear. While Ginny continued to enjoy the company of her family, her world increasingly diminished, necessitating her move to the Betz Nursing Home. The family is grateful for the care Ginny received there and to her final support in hospice care.

She is survived by one daughter, Janice (Mrs. Fred) Bales, Albuquerque, New Mexico; four sons and their wives: Alan and Sue Stebing, Chemainis, British Columbia; Gary and Kathy Stebing, Amhurst, Ohio; Mark and Barbara Stebing, Cookeville, Tennessee; and Paul and Norma Stebing, North Port, Florida; 13 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Three sisters also survive: Sarajane Hill and Joan Mason, both of Fort Wayne, and Sandra Gallimore, Kendallville.

A memorial service will be held later in the year at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Lima Road, Fort Wayne, with burial of her cremains at Sweet Church Cemetery, Albion. Memorials may be sent to Resurrection Lutheran Church, Alzheimer’s Association of Indiana, or a charity of choice.