Ruth Anne Sprunger

RUTH ANNE (STEINER) SPRUNGER, 93, of Fort Wayne, died on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 at home. She was born on Nov. 23, 1930, in Bluffton Ohio to the late Sidney and Ruth (Amstutz) Steiner. She received her Bachelor's degree from Bluffton University in 1951 and her Master's degree from St. Francis College in 1968.

Ruth Anne began her career teaching in Fort Wayne community schools for six years in 1951. She left teaching to raise her daughter as one of her most treasured life accomplishments was being a mother. Most of her professional life was devoted to removing the stigma of mental illness. In 1972, she began serving as the Executive Director for the Mental Health Association in Allen County for 40 years working tirelessly with the governor and state legislation to pass laws to ensure unique needs of the mentally ill were legally considered. For this, Ruth Anne was awarded the state's highest honor, Sagamore of the Wabash. During that time, she helped many local families find help for mentally ill loved ones. She developed an Officer Assistance Program that was recognized for providing training to officers in dealing with those in crisis. She was the Coordinator of the Fort Wayne Panel of American Women in the 1960’s which brought awareness of discrimination based on race and religion. She was a long-time member of P.E.O. Chapter AN, a philanthropic organization celebrating the advancement of women through education. She was a board member for the West Central Neighborhood Committee as well as numerous other boards focused on helping communities learn how to better assist those dealing with mental crisis and drug abuse. Ruth Anne received numerous other awards which included the Liberty Bell Award from the Allen County Bar Association, Outstanding Alumnus Award from Bluffton University, as well as many awards from the Fort Wayne Police Department. The city of Fort Wayne declared January 12, 2012 Ruth Anne Sprunger Day in recognition of her commitment to the community and her life of service. She was recognized in September as a 70-year member of Plymouth Congregational Church.

In her retirement, Ruth Anne enjoyed listening to audio books, working the NYT Spelling Bee, spending time with her daughter and entertaining at her home and at Pretty Lake. For her 85th birthday party, over 100 people attended a celebration at Plymouth Church. A last-minute race for more tables and chairs occurred when everyone invited attended. This showed the absolute love and devotion the community had for Ruth Anne.

Surviving are her daughter, Kathy Sprunger of Houston, Texas; nieces, Sue (John) Baker of Fort Wayne, Bambi Honer of Castle Valley, Utah, and Heidi (Dan) Vetter of June Lake, Calif.; nephew, Hans (Carol) Steiner of Exeter, Calif.; and sister-in-law, Sigrid Steiner in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Kenneth Sprunger; brother, Robert Steiner; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Orel A. and Ellen Sprunger; and nephew, Stephen Sprunger.

Kathy wishes to thank current caregivers, Christy Brown, Nan Butler, Carol Hille-Klem, Nicole Schulert, Kaye Seelye, Chyenne Wilson, Lolita Young, and the caregivers at the home instead. In addition, thanks go to Rita Collins, Peggy McLaughlin, Mary Chevillot, and the late Michelle Scott for helping care for Mom in the past. Finally, to Sue and John Baker, thank you for your love and support.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Plymouth Congregational Church 501 W. Berry Street Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802 with visitation one hour prior. Preferred memorials to Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana www.MHAnortheastindiana.org.