Ruth Ernestine Ditsch

It has pleased Almighty God to call from this earth the soul of his servant, Ruth Ditsch, at the age of 101. Following a brief illness, on November 29, 2024, Ruth’s angels gently came for her while she was at her home in prayer with her deacon and daughter by her side. Ruth, like Simeon, saw the glory of His salvation and departed in peace.

On March 17, 1923, Ruth Ernestine Abplanalp was born to her parents, Henry and Louise (Schroeder) Abplanalp in Anaheim, California. Ruth attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange through the eighth grade and graduated from Orange Union High School in 1941. Ruth worked at Woolworth’s until she became of sufficient age to attend nursing school at Los Angeles General Hospital School of Nursing. Upon receiving the black stripe on her nurses’ cap, she entered the U.S. Army Nursing Corps as a Second Lieutenant following the outbreak of World War II. She served stateside in California and Washington, where she met the love of her life, Fredrick (Fred) Ditsch.

Following the war, when times were tough, in a unique double wedding with her sister, Ruth was joined in holy matrimony to Fred on May 19, 1946, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange. The couple made their home in Dearborn, Michigan, where they raised two children: a daughter, Judith; and a foster son, James Mosier. Ruth worked at Eloise (then called Wayne County General Hospital) as the head nurse of the pediatric department. Ruth was a member of the Michigan Nurses Association, where she served a term as president. She played an instrumental role in forming one of Michigan’s first labor unions for registered nurses.

The couple relocated to Winchester, California, in 1968, where Fred began a commercial rabbitry. Ruth was hired by Hemet Valley Hospital, initially as an orthopedic nurse. Ruth opened the Hospital’s first pediatric ward, and rapidly ascended to serve as the Assistant Administrator in Charge of Nursing Services where she played a leadership role in the planning for Menifee Valley Hospital. She was concurrently enrolled at Loma Linda University, where she earned her Master’s Degree. Ruth served on the board of directors for the School of Nursing at Mt. San Jacinto Community College. In 1992, Ruth was honored to receive an award for Lifelong Leadership and Commitment to Nursing Excellence in Professional Nursing Practices from Menifee Valley Medical Center’s Nursing Services Division. In 2015, she was presented with the Outstanding Alumni and Friend of the Year award from Mt. San Jacinto Community College, among many other recognitions for nursing leadership. Hemet Valley Hospital District continues to honor Ruth’s legacy by the annual awarding of the Ruth E Ditsch, R.N. Award for Nursing Excellence.

Her first love was that for her Lord and Savior. She was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church where she demonstrated her faith as a servant of the Lord through significant donations of time and talents to ministries, tasks forces, and multiple committees. After retirement, she engaged in daily walks to her favorite donut shop, an activity that she sustained until the age of 97. Ruth loved adventure and lifelong learning, and enjoyed escapades ranging from hot air balloon trips to river and ocean cruises in the company of her travel companion, Jean Domenigoni.

Ruth was preceded in death by: two infant brothers; parents; husband of 50 years, Fred; sister, Marion Ingram of Hemet; and, son-in-law, Willian Mayle. She is survived by: her daughter, Judith Mayle of Livonia, Michigan; son, James (and Loretta) Mosier of Santaquin, Utah; half-sister, Joanne James of Yucaipa; four granddaughters: Holly (and Don) Bunker of South Lion, Michigan; Patricia Mayle of Chicago, Illinois; Heather (and Detlef) Losert of Changhun, China; and Ruth (and Jon) Nelson, of West Valley City, Utah. Also surviving are six great-grandchildren (Lauren and Paige Bunker; and Ryder, Conner, Olivia, and Hailey Nelson) and three nieces (Kathy Ingram, Marie Helt, and Marsha Kozlowski).

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 7, at 1:00 PM, at Faith Lutheran Church, 28200 Portsmouth Drive, in Menifee. Military graveside rites will occur on Monday, December 9, at 10:30 AM, at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd. in Riverside. Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Lutheran Church or any other charity of choice.