Obituary of Ruth Virginia Kaper

Ruth Virginia Brown was born on November 22, 1932, in Monroe, Michigan. She was one of three children born to the union of Avery Brown and Margie (Wood) Brown.  She was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Monroe where she was baptized and confirmed.  Ruth attended Monroe High School, graduating with the class of 1951.

On October 20, 1951, at Trinity, Ruth married the love of her life, William Kaper. Together the couple were blessed with two sons and a daughter.  During high school, Ruth was employed at Leski Office Supply before taking a position in the payroll department at Gould National Battery.  Ruth enjoyed volunteering her time at the Monroe Hospital Guild and the Monroe Historical Society, but her favorite place to volunteer was at the Thrift Shop Association in downtown Monroe.  Beginning in 1972, her work there spanned more than four decades.  When she wasn’t volunteering, she loved to read “courtroom mysteries” or attend monthly dinners with her friends, or “The Club” as they referred to their time together.

Ruth Virginia Kaper, age 91 of Monroe passed away on Saturday; January 27, 2024, at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital.  Her passing was preceded by her parents: Avery and Margie Brown; her husband of over thirty-one years: William; her sister and brother-in-law: Marcella and James Breitner and her brother and sister-in-law: Ralph and Joyce Brown.

To cherish Ruth’s memory, she leaves her daughter: Judith Marie Kaper of St. Paul, Minnesota; two sons: Robert William Kaper of Monroe and Thomas Herman (Diane) Kaper of Sheffield Village, Ohio; two grandchildren: Ryan (Laurel) Kaper of Parma Heights, Ohio and Eric Kaper of Sheffield Village; and one great granddaughter: Evelyn Kaper.

Friends may gather from 12:00pm until 6:00pm on Wednesday; January 31, 2024, at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Ruth’s Life will be held at 6:00pm also at Merkle’s with Pastor Mark Duerr of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating.  Private burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Thrift Shop Association; 119 South Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48161.  Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.