Ruth E. Edwards, 92, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, March 24, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born July 9, 1919, in rural Cape Girardeau County, to the late August L. and Malinda M. Weiss Kurre.

Ruth graduated from College High School in 1936 and Southeast Missouri State University in 1946 with a bachelor's degree in education. She taught at Wardell, Mo., Benton, Mo., and Anniston, Mo., high schools. Ruth began working at the local Northwestern Mutual Life office as secretary in the mid-1950s. She retired in 1986 after 30 years.

After retirement she became active as a volunteer at Southeast Missouri Hospital, accumulating about 12,000 hours in crafts until retiring in 2007. She also was a member of Rodney Vista Homemakers Club.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau. For a number of years she was Sunday school secretary, a member of Trinity's Altar Guild and a longtime member of the Gospel Outreach Board where she scheduled greeters for services, served as a greeter and enlisted members to call local visitors attending the weekend services to give them a personal welcome.

During her retirement years she became a member of Trinity Ladies Junior Aid and held all offices in the organization over the years. She spent many hours working at the Aid's bazaars, suppers and other functions.

She is survived by a daughter, Carolyn Moore (Albert) of Cape Girardeau; granddaughter, Kendra Mitchell of Atlanta; brother, Clarence Kurre of Cape Girardeau; nieces, Patti Beard (Donald), Judy Ringwald (Mike), Nancy Dyson (Royce); and nephew, Tim Kurre (Jane).

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Roger Rutherford; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Kurre.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, with Pastors Douglas Breite and Nathan Burgell officiating.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Trinity Lutheran School Building Fund, 55 N. Pacific St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or Trinity Lutheran Church, 100 N. Frederick St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.