Reverend Ruth Kuetemeyer Eickhorst, age 95, of Franklin, Indiana, passed away on Friday, June 21, 2013 at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin. She was born March 31, 1918 in Downers Grove, Illinois, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Krambs) Kuetemeyer. She married Harold A. Eickhorst on August 24, 1940; he preceded her in death on January 19, 1991. She was preceded in death by her husband, her sister, Marie Dawson, and her brother, William Kuetemeyer.
Survivors include her niece Carol Greiner of Ames, Iowa, her son Harold R. (Cathy) Eickhorst of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, her daughter Jeanie (Ed) Fischer of Franklin, Indiana, five grandchildren Kristin Eickhorst of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Hans (Heather) Eickhorst of Harrisonville, Missouri, Lori (Ken) Shaver of Crawfordsville, Indiana, Lance Fischer of Whiteland, Indiana and Lyndsey Fischer of Indianapolis, Indiana, and five great-grandchildren Brandon Eickhorst, Kate Eickhorst, Sam Shaver, Holly Shaver, and Lucy Fischer. Ruth also leaves behind her beloved Boston Terriers Rosie and Dottie.
Ruth received her Bachelors of Music and Masters of Music from Butler University and her Masters of Sacred Music from Christian Theological Seminary, where she taught all of the music courses and directed musical activities for ten years. She served as an adjunct instructor at Jordan College of Fine Arts.
Ruth held the position of Dean of the American Guild of Organists for three years, was a member of Matinee Musicale, the Organ Historical Society, Mu Phi Epsilon International, and Theta Phi (International Theological Honorary).
Ruth played the organ at the 2006 renovation of the Gothic Chapel at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. She also organized and performed at many performances over the years at the Gothic Chapel. In addition, Ruth was an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and has served as assistant pastor in that denomination.
Ruth was also a member of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honorary Society. She was a qualified harpsichordist, having studied with Dr. Mary Tilton of Indiana University. Ruth studied organ with renowned organists Ernest White, Virgil Fox, and Paul Hindemith.
Reverend Roger Gifford will conduct a service Monday, June 24, 2013 at 1 P.M. at Swartz Family Community Mortuary And Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, Indiana. Visitation will be Monday from 11 A.M. until service time at the mortuary. Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis following a brief service at the Gothic Chapel. All guests are invited. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Humane Society of Johnson County, 3827 N. Graham Road, Franklin, Indiana 46131 or to the donor’s favorite charity. Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.swartzmortuary.com. Information: 317-738-0202.

Affiliations

Disciples of Christ