Ruth Ann Schauster

Ruth Schauster (nee Kalmer), age 74, of New Baden, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, February 24, 2024 surrounded by her supportive family. She fought off cancer like a true warrior for the past 4 ½ years. Ruth was born November 9, 1949 in Belleville, the daughter of Hubert and Henrietta (nee Rakers) Kalmer, Sr. She married Paul Schauster July 5, 1968 at St. George Catholic Church in New Baden.

 She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Paul. He was her main care provider through this ordeal and was there to drive her to every appointment and every hospitalization and her rock of support each step of the way. She is also survived by her daughter, Lynn Schauster and her partner Deanna Stuart of Corpus Christi, TX; and her son, Douglas Schauster of New Baden. She is survived by her brothers, Ron (Debbie) Kalmer and Bruce (Debbie) Kalmer of New Baden; her sisters, Helen (Ron) Henken of Germantown, Linda Goff of New Baden, and Janet (Leonard) Pollmann of Seymour, IN; as well as her sisters-in-law, Mary Beth Kalmer and Trudy Schauster, both of Belleville; and brother-in-law Dave Schauster of Irving, Texas. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who were all like grandchildren to her.

 In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her 4 brothers; Hubert Jr, Richard, Allen and Brian Kalmer; her brothers-in-law, Dennis, Frances, Ricky, and James Schauster; her sister-in-law, Betty Schauster, and father- and mother-in-law, Eugene and Isabelle Schauster.

 Ruth was proud of the 44 years of committed work at Scott Air Force Base where she oversaw the vehicle maintenance division. She was always very active coaching many youth sporting leagues and had fond memories of playing softball for the New Baden Jets for 20 years. Later in life she loved going camping at Carlyle Lake and sitting by the campfire listening and telling stories with her family or singing “Sweet Caroline”. Ruth was an avid reader of many authors and always had a book in her hands or lying on her chest to fall asleep. She loved to go shopping with her best friend, Barb Stanhaus, and accumulated many different collections in her home. She was also a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved attending Cardinals games in St. Louis and was happy to see them also play in many stadiums around the country. After retirement she loved traveling west to see the beauty of the country’s national parks or going east to learn about the history of our nation. She was an avid sports fan in general and towards the end of her life when it became too difficult to travel, she enjoyed attending and being the cheerleader for many of her nieces and nephews and then great nieces and nephews. She was known to always have “gummy bears” in her purse to share with the kids after their games. Besides the loss of Ruth, her family will miss her homemade potato salad and her elaborate Christmas decorations each holiday season. 

 The family would like to extend a special appreciation to BJC Hospice; especially Yvonne, Deanna, Molly, and Jason; for helping navigate the final weeks of her life.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at St. George Catholic Church in New Baden. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in New Baden. 

 Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 27, 2024 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and again on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 from 9 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. at Nordike Funeral Home in New Baden. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made on Ruth’s behalf to Siteman Cancer Center at BJC in St. Louis and will be received at the funeral home.