Karen Ruegg Montgomery died Sunday, November 24, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family and husband of 54 years, William R. Montgomery.
She was born on April 7, 1942, the daughter of Henry C. and Pauline Ruegg.
Karen was a spirit-filled woman. She was kind, thoughtful, and bright, and she is survived by her brother Stephen H. Ruegg (Nancy), and her nephews Jonathan Eric Ruegg, and Jeremy S. Ruegg and niece Heather L. Pierson (Tim) as well as great nieces; Sophie, Elena, and Maarit. Karen dearly loved and was loved by her husband’s nieces Robin Van Buskirk (Ed), Debra Lilley (Paul), Carol Lukich (Darin), and Jill Pauff (David).
Karen was a retired French teacher, having taught at Grove City Ohio for 7 years and Sidney, Ohio, for 23 years. She attended Asbury College after graduating as Valedictorian from West High School in Columbus, Ohio and graduated with honors from Otterbein College in 1964. She later received her Master’s Degree from The Ohio State University. Karen loved teaching – and France – where she spent a year (1969-1970) teaching conversational English at the high school level at Lycée Paul Valerie in Paris.
Karen was a dedicated teacher, where she (courageously!) led her students on 12 different summer trips to France to immerse themselves in the language and culture of her beloved France. She also established a student exchange program as one of only two schools in the country where students during the school year would attend a French high school for several weeks while living with matched French families who would then send their child to Sidney High School to live with their matched Sidney family and attend high school.
Anyone who knew Karen knew she was an avid animal lover, donating to many animal organizations and serving for many years on the board of the Logan County Humane Society. She volunteered for Discovery Riders and the Holland Theatre, as well as the Ohio Arts Council. For 40 years she was a member of the Logan County Athenian Club where she served as historian and presented many well researched cultural and travel programs.
Karen was curious, compassionate and genuinely funny. An avid reader, she loved literature, poetry, history and the arts. She was a uniquely loyal and kind friend, “zooming” and visiting regularly with her 1960 Asbury college roommates.
She will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
Pastor Jim Ellington will officiate a memorial service beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 8, in the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311. Visitation will be three hours prior to the service on Sunday at the funeral home, from noon to 3 p.m.. Burial will be in Bellefontaine Cemetery at a later date.
Karen had many favorite charities that she supported. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent in her memory to Indian Lake Community Church, 329 E. Main St., Russells Point, Ohio 43348 or Marmon Valley Farm, 7754 St Rt. 2925 Zanesfield, Ohio 43360.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, is honored to serve the Montgomery family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.
