Longtime St. Therese cook, bus driver Ruth Belka dies at 97

Ruth Augustina Belka (Kleibusch), age 97, died at Byron Manor, Thursday, June 13.

Ruth was a lifelong member of St. Therese Catholic Church, where for many years she was the school cook and bus driver. She traveled with her family, vacationed, camped, snowmobiled and deer hunted. Many of the past students still comment about Ruth serving up their lunches at St. Therese School.

Surviving are her two sons, Ronald, Rodney (Cheryl) Belka; 10 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; brother, Gene (Pam) Kleibusch; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Frank, and infant son Reginald; sisters, LaVerne Herp and Arlene Belka; brother, Robert Kleibusch.

Visitation with the family will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, with a rosary at 7:30  at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, 312 N Main, Wayland. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 18, at St. Therese Catholic Church with Father Alphonse Savarimuthu officiating. Interment will be at Elmwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Therese Catholic Church.

1 Comment

  1. dennis longstreet

    Mrs. Belka was a wonderful woman. I went to Saint Therese for eight years. I ate her chicken and potatoes, homemade bread. Went to high school and still went to Saint Therese for lunch. Thank You, Mrs. Belka. You will be missed.

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