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Obituaries
10/28/09 Gratzer, Ruth Edson
Ruth Edson Gratzer, 77, formerly of Camillus, passed away Wednesday Oct. 28, 2009 at Rosewood Heights Health Center. Born in Utica on Saturday Feb. 13, 1932, she was the daughter of Thomas William Edson and Ruth Hills Gardiner Edson. She lived in Utica for 14 years and then Syracuse until moving to Camillus in 1962.
Ruth was a music teacher, music director, organist and accompanist. This included five years at Immanuel United Methodist Church and seven years at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. A graduate of Central High School, she attended Syracuse University and completed music studies in Germany and Switzerland. She studied under Professors Felix Witzinger, piano instructor in Switzerland, Will Headlee, organ instructor locally, and George Mulfinger, piano instructor at Syracuse University. She also studied at Utica Conservatory and sang in area choirs.
Ruth toured Romania for three weeks in July 1974 with The Music Men of Syracuse, directed by Madelon Beyle and provided several performances daily for the men.
Ruth was a member of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church and its Mary Circle and St. Anne’s Guild at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. She was also a former volunteer at Community General Hospital.
Surviving are her daughter, Karin Simmons of Syracuse; son, Keith Gratzer of Washington, Missouri; sisters, Joyce McLaughlin of Camillus and Merle Hendry of Charlotte, North Carolina; brother, Thomas Edson of Camillus and grandchildren, Lonnie, Michelle and Sandra Simmons, and Peter, Ashley, Ryan and Nicole Gratzer; and great-granddaughter, Abigal Simmons.
Services were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday Nov. 3 in St. Michael’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Janet Fechner-Pelletier officiating. Relatives and friends called from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday Nov. 2 at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus.
Ruth was laid to rest in White Chapel Memory Gardens, DeWitt.
Contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 5108 W. Genesee St., Camillus, NY 13031.
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