Ruth Berg

RUTH JOSEPHINE LAMBERT BERG, died peacefully at age 101 with family at her side. She was a resident of Sunset Villa Care Center in Roswell, NM.

Ruth was born in Chicago, IL June 22, 1915 to Dr. Joseph S. Lambert and Emilie B. Lambert. "Ruthie" was the sixth of seven children. Aspiring to also become a doctor, she attended the University of Illinois, Urbana as a chemistry major until finances ran out during the depression years. Ruth met Berthil Verner Berg working at the 1934 Chicago World's Fair where she was cashier at the same pavilion where Bert engineered the first TV exposition. They married in Chicago May 16, 1936. Ruth made her own wedding gown, and she wore it again at their Golden Anniversary celebration in 1986. Their 55-year odyssey wove through Indiana, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania before settling in Alamogordo in 1954, and ending upon Bert's death in 1991.

Gardening and community were Ruth's greatest passions outside of family. In her beloved backyard, she raised turtles, neighborhood kids and an eclectic flower garden. She applied her good nature and quick wit working with youth through PTA, Girl Scouting, Sunday School, school board and the Alamo Teen Center which she helped found. She helped senior citizens through the Senior Center, Mayor's Council on aging, RSVP and meals-on wheels.
Ruth was a member of the Otero County Cow-belles, an election judge, and a charter member of the hospital auxiliary.

Ruth was rarely seen in recent years without a hat. Her love of hats began when she was diagnosed with macular degeneration. She said that hats helped her see better. She had some 50 hats in her collection. We welcome you to wear a hat in her honor.
She worked 35 years with Dr. LaBarre as a bookkeeper, farmed pecans and hiked the desert looking for arrowheads and pottery shards. Ruth traveled most of the USA and to more than 15 foreign countries. A big highlight was to be selected to officially greet President George W. Bush at Holloman AFB in 2002 on behalf of all Alamogordo volunteer organizations.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, Bert in 1991, an infant son, Arnold L. Berg, in 1940, her parents, her six siblings and their spouses, and all of her cousins.

Ruth is survived by her son, Eric L. Berg and his wife Susan of Bakersfield, CA, her grandson Eric K. Berg and wife Jolene and children Eric C. Berg and Meredith Berg all of Bakersfield, her granddaughter Carolyn Muirhead and her husband Stuart and Holden L. Muirhead all of Houston, Texas; her daughter Lucille B.( Lucy) Tucker of Roswell, NM her grandson Ronnie Tucker and fiancé Cindy Perkins, Jonah ,Jade and Jesse Gray all of Albuquerque, her granddaughter Shauna Tucker and Tom and Olivia Good of San Tan Valley, AZ, and foster son Dr. Joel Godbey of Portland, OR She is survived by six nephews, two nieces and their issue. Ruth enjoyed a special bond with her Grand Niece, Tracy Lopez of Roswell.

Visitation will be held at Ballard Funeral Home on Thursday December 15, 2016 from 9am to 5pm. A funeral service will take place on Friday December 16, 2016 at 2pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alamogordo NM with Reverend Bill Heithold officiating. Interment to follow at Monte Vista Cemetery in Alamogordo NM. Pallbearers Bob White, Bob Birdwell, Dennis Burns, Norman Arnold, Joe Quintana, Billy Tucker, Eric C. Berg, Paul Hughen, Lawrence Roybal and Terry Marquardt.

A memorial to celebrate Mrs. Berg's life will be held on Saturday December 17, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church in Roswell NM at 2pm with Reverend Larry Sydow officiating. Pallbearers will be: Larry Lopez, Dave Keith, Dr. Hany Yassa, Dr. Jeffrey Ash, Doug Lunsford, Wayne Peterson, Bob Enthrop, Paul Mysza.

Ruth's grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be her Honorary pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made to the Roswell Joy Center Adult Day Care or the Alamogordo Senior Center.

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Thursday, December 15, 2016
9am to 5pm

Service

Funeral Service

Trinity Lutheran Church
Alamogordo, NM
Friday, December 16, 2016
2pm

Memorial Service

First Presbyterian Church
400 West Third Street
Roswell, NM  88201
Saturday, December 17, 2016
2pm

Cemetery

Monte Vista Cemetery
Alamogordo, ND