Ruth Lois Key nee Fuller

Ruth Key’s Eulogy Ruth Lois Key nee Fuller passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 23, 2023, having reached the age of 94 years. Ruth, daughter of the late Laurel Wayne and Fannie May Fuller nee Griffin was born in St Louis, MO on February 19, 1928. She received her early education in St. Louis and Union and graduated from St. Clair High Scholl in May of 1947. Ruth was united in marriage to Kimber William Key, known to most as Bill Key and they worked together in the family business, Key’s Twin Bridge Café and Key and Son’s Oil Company in Villa Ridge, MO. They shared the business with Bill’s Twin Brother “Bob Key and Wife Shirley and Bill’s parents, Nobel and Edna Key. It was a busy place along “The Mother Road, Route 66, and they served up some pretty good food that kept them all very busy, after interstate 44 was built, the restaurant became a favorite place for many of the local people in Franklin County. Four daughters came to bless their union, Sheila Ann Hofstetter, Brenda Kay Monahan, Karla Sue Perkins and Amy Jo Key. Ruth was a Christian and her and Bill were baptized at the same time in Dec 1951, by Rev Harris, minister of the First Baptist Church in Union, Mo. They moved to St. Clair and transferred their membership to the First Baptist Church of St. Clair, where after retirement they became regularly active in the church. Ruth was asked to join the kitchen committee cooking of course but that is what she did. Her and Bill also helped with the Spring Bluff youth camp in the kitchen. She was so sad to have to give up working at the church due to health reasons. Ruth and Bill joined the Order of the Easter Star Naomi Chapter 296 Union MO in February 1951 where they became active, always taking an office and excelling in the teachings and charity work that the order stood for. Ruth was Worthy Matron a number of times, she was appointed District Deputy Grand Matron in 1979 and was appointed Grand Representative to Alberta Canada Oct 1983-1984 where she went to Canada and made many lasting friendships. She was thrilled when she was appointed as Grand Ruth in 1986 by Sister Edith Burnett and Brother Ray Osbourne. She and Bill traveled all over the state of Missouri and several other states, visiting other chapters and found many years of friendships and love with all the members of Eastern Star that they met along the way. Her proudest moments were the birth of her children and when Bill was elected to become a 33-degree Mason which was an honor within the Masonic family for service and excellence. Ruth kept busy working as a pie baker, cook, and bookkeeper for the restaurant and the filling station, along with being a mother and wife. She was always willing to be a room mother for each one of her daughters, she was a Girl Scout Leader, Mother Advisor to Union Rainbow Girls for many years, and was highly active in their church. She also enjoyed and was incredibly talented at making beautiful wedding and special occasion cakes. She was always baking pies and cheesecakes for everyone, and still found time to always be there for her family and friends when they needed her. Each year they would pack the family up and head to the Lake of the Ozarks for a week of swimming, skiing, being with family and friends and of course she was always cooking. The girls have such fond memories of vacations. Ruth and Bill enjoyed camping in the fifth wheel camper and traveling to spend time with family and friends. Bill was a member of 4 Rivers Shrine Club Motorcycle Patrol, and they traveled to competitions and parades for several years. Ruth took care of Bill 24 hours a day when he became disabled with dementia hardly ever leaving his side and while taking care of Bill, she became a huge Cardinal fan and loved watching them on TV. She became really upset when they traded Harrison Bader. She also helped raise her grandchild and great grandchildren and so enjoyed being with all her grandchildren, great grandchildren and her house was always welcome for anyone who needed a place to stay. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Laurel and Fannie Fuller, four brothers, Herman Fuller, Tom Fuller, Gene Fuller, and Bill Fuller, one Sister Fay Stahlschmidt, one brother-in-law, Kenneth Robert Key, one sister-in-law, Shirley Key and one grandson Greg Hofstetter. Ruth is survived by her daughters, Sheila Hofstetter of St. Clair, Brenda Monahan (Kevin)of Washington, Karla Perkins (Thomas) of St. Clair and Amy Key of Big Falls, MN., Six grandchildren Wendy Key, Tracy Perkins (Diana) Toby Perkins (Susan), Josh Perkins (Marie), Aaron Dixon (Jennifer), Christy Calvert (Tony), 14 great grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren, and special cousin Jeannine Stuart of St. Louis, and nieces and nephews and many friends. We would like to thank John Kopf and Darlene White for helping to take care of mom and the New Haven Hospice for taking care of mom this past month.

Ruth Lois Key nee Fuller

February 19, 1928 - October 23, 2022