Ruth Wieland - Obituary

uth was born Naomi Ruth Gromen on August 9, 1928, in Suitland, Maryland, to Michael and Lena Gromen. The youngest surviving child of six, Ruth was brought up in a rural, agrarian, fundamental-Christian home only a few miles from the White House. She attended Suitland Elementary, and Maryland Park High School. Upon graduation she was employed at the U.S. Census Bureau. Seeking advancement, Ruth studied secretarial science at Strayers University. Upon completion of the program, Ruth was employed by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, where she worked to enhance the health-care experience for people of all backgrounds. In her early twenties, Ruth dedicated her life to the Savior and became active in the Apostolic Christian Church located in the Washington, DC, area. She served as a children’s Sunday-school teacher for many decades and imparted a knowledge of, and appreciation for, God’s word to generations of young learners. Ruth was married to Richard Wieland of Mansfield, Ohio. Following her marriage, Ruth decided to dedicate herself to her life-long passion of animal rescue and maintenance. She worked for the American Wildlife Foundation to raise funds for endangered species, to combat animal cruelty, and to heighten awareness of the plight of American wildlife. She felt a special love for God’s creatures, both plant and animal. Ruth loved nature. She maintained beautiful flower beds and rich vegetable gardens, local-sourcing food for friends & family long before this became a socially recognized concept. Like many in her generation, Ruth led a life filled with tragedies and triumphs: The Great Depression in her youth, then World War II. Ruth had no children, yet she helped rear generations of young people in her church congregation. She moved from her comfortable home in order to assist her older brother and sister in theirs, during advanced age and illness. Through all this, Ruth smiled and never murmured. Finally confronting her own failing health, Ruth responded with quiet acceptance of God’s will. For as long as she was able, Ruth tended to her ailing brother while forcing herself to keep active and involved with her environment. Instead of frustration at a forgotten thought or event, Ruth would just exclaim, “Oh me, oh my! Well…it is what it is.” Sometimes she would repeat herself and, suddenly aware of that fact, would explain, “It feels good just to say that sometimes.” At last her battle with the flesh ended and Ruth Gromen-Wieland found peace in the arms of Jesus on March 6, 2018. She is survived by her brother Elmer “Mick” Gromen and nieces Kathy Vish and Joyce Boliantz and their families. Relatives and friends are invited to Ruth's Life Celebration on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 from 11:30 a.m. until time of service at 12:30 p.m. at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. Interment Washington National Cemetery.