Ruth Jansen

Ruth L. Jansen (born Sarah Ruth Long) passed at 97 years of age on January 20, 2022. Ruth lived nearly 58 years on Hilltop Lane, in Wyoming, OH.  She was born on August 16, 1924 in Paris, PA and was the youngest of five children born to Archie C. Long and Bertha B. Long (nee Evans).  All of her older siblings, Ethel (Caldwell), Austin, and Ward, and a brother Paul who died in early childhood, preceded her.

After studying dental hygiene and graduating with honors from West Virginia’s West Liberty College in 1948, Ruth moved to Cincinnati, OH along with her college friend, Jean Singer (nee Yost). Ruth married James R. Dew, Jr. in 1954 and they had a son, James R. Dew III, one year later. Their home, built on Compton Ridge Dr. in Wyoming, OH, was completed the same year. Sadly, Ruth’s husband passed away unexpectedly in 1957, leaving Ruth and Jimmy and other family behind. Ruth then bought a duplex on Doerger Lane in Pleasant Ridge, OH and continued working in dental hygiene. She was supported socially and in caring for Jimmy, by Jim and Nancy Wilkins, who had been both relatives and neighbors.

In 1962, Ruth met Clem J. Jansen on a blind date and discovered that Clem, along with his late wife Jeralyn (nee McKnight), and his daughter Jackie, were patients of hers. They married on December 26, 1964 with guests in attendance from the families of the bride and groom and the families of their late spouses.  Ruth and her son moved into the home Clem designed and built on Hilltop Lane in Wyoming; and not far from Jimmy’s grandfather, Roy J. Dew (nee James Roy Dew). Ruth and Clem were blessed with a son, David Jon, in 1968. After her marriage, Ruth returned to the Wyoming Baptist Church (to which she belonged in the early 1950s) and became the Church’s longest living member. Even after she stopped attending church because of health issues, Ruth remained active in the church’s “prayer chain,” helping to pass on concerns and prayers to members. Ruth also developed a close relationship with Clem’s sister, Schamah Vehr (nee Jansen), and later helped care for her.

Ruth was always making and maintaining friendships with various groups, especially those centered around church, her love of golfing at the old GE Golf Course, and playing Bridge. Ruth loved playing games, especially dominoes. When alone, she enjoyed doing Sudoku puzzles. “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune” were the TV shows she watched. But making and keeping social connections was always most important to Ruth. She would always ask her friends, neighbors, doctors, and hairdresser about their well-being and about their spouses and children, all of whom she usually knew by name.

Ruth said the problem with living so long is that you lose so many family and friends. Ruth lost Clem in 1994, after 30 years of marriage, her sister-in-law Schamah in 2001, and her best friend Jean in 2006, after over 60 years of friendship. Ruth is survived by her three children: David J. Jansen of Fairfield, OH; James R. Dew III of Madison, WI; and Jacqueline J. Bradbury (nee Jansen) of Alexandria, VA. Ruth will also be deeply missed by her close niece, Shirley Pastagal of Greensburg, IN; and many other family and friends. Her life will remain a testament to how we can best overcome adversity and properly live a long and happy life.

The Celebration of Life for Ruth L. Jansen, will be held on Saturday, April 9th, 2022 at 11:00 am, at the Wyoming Baptist Church, 170 Burns Ave, Wyoming, Ohio 45215.