Ruth Koepke, 92, of Silver Bay, died Saturday, May 3, 2025. Ruth was born August 30, 1932 to Donald and Viola (Epple) Prestidge in Buffalo and grew up there and in Braham, where she graduated from high school. In 1950, she moved to the North Shore and as a young lady, worked at Cross River Cafe in Schroeder, then Lornt son’s Cafe in Beaver Bay, and later as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell. She owned and operated Fun ’N Fancy Craft Shop for several years, and later retired from Cyprus North Shore Mining.
Ruth was a member of the United Protestant Church in Silver Bay, and an active volunteer with the Bay Area Historical Society.
Born curious, Ruth especially enjoyed North Shore history, cooking pancakes over a campfire, and the time she spent with family and friends.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Jan and Jean; and a brother, Dennis.
She is survived by her daughters, Linda (Mark) Thiltgen, Gloria (Richard) Stern, and Wendy Rosenau; step-sons, Richard (Jan) Koepke and Jim (Sheila) Koepke; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings, Donna Dorow, Muriel Lyght, David Prestidge, Irene Johnson, and Carol (Marlin) Bakken; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 10 AM until the 11 AM service on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the United Protestant Church in Silver Bay. To share a memory or leave an online condolence visit www.cavallinfuneralhome.com.
