Ruth Lounsbury Wise

Ruth Lounsbury Wise passed peacefully on October 10, 2023, surrounded by her beloved family, having valiantly navigated the long-term challenges of chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Ruth was born on October 20, 1950 in Pomona, California. Shortly thereafter, her family planted roots in West Lafayette, Indiana. It was here she spent her early years exploring the outdoors near the Wabash River, perfecting her skills as a musician before graduating from high school, and pursuing a degree from Purdue University.

In the summer of 1972, Ruth met her soulmate, Bill Wise, through their mutual friend, Fr. Richard Berg. Bill and Ruth spent a summer together in Austin, Tx, where they fell in love and soon were married. They lived in Kerrville, TX where she was a teacher at Tom Daniels Elementary while obtaining her Masters in education from the University of Texas (San Antonio). In the summer of 1984, the family moved to San Antonio, TX, and she began teaching at James Madison High School.

Above all else, Ruth was an incredible wife, mother, and teacher. She nurtured and taught her own three children as well as countless students over her vast 30-year teaching career. She was beloved by her students and coworkers and truly loved her job as a special education and math teacher. As a teacher, Ruth was patient and enthusiastic. She especially shined at helping those who needed it the most, earning recognition as one of the top 35 teachers in Texas in 2002.

Together, Ruth and Bill shared a love of nature, travel, spontaneity, and their adored children. They were known to randomly pack up a car, kids, and pets and go to the beach for the day. One summer, when the opportunity arose, they took to the road for a summer-long trip with the family packed in the van, exploring and camping across the West Coast, Canada, and throughout many national parks.

As a mother, Ruth was fun, imaginative, non-judgmental, funny, and laid back. Her bedtime children's stories were in constant demand. She was always encouraging and reassuring to her children, going above and beyond to make them feel happy and unconditionally loved.

Although her love of her children always came first, her love of animals (especially cats) was a close second. Throughout her life, she was nurturing, supportive, and understanding to both her human and her four-legged companions. Often, animals would seem to flock to her, sensing her kindness, as though she were kin to St.Francis.

Ruth was loving, selfless, funny, playful, and strong. Though she faced tremendous health challenges over the last two decades of her life, you would never realize it if you spoke with her. Though she endured great personal pain, she would continue to do whatever she could for anyone selflessly.

Her love of family was unwavering, and she fostered close relationships with all three of her siblings. Despite living in different states, she remained close with her brothers and sister through frequent long conversations recounting the recent escapades of their animals and keeping up to date on family happenings.

Ruth was a remarkable being in many, many ways, and her love and presence will be missed wholeheartedly by many whose lives she touched.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Richard Lounsbury, and her brother, John Lounsbury. She is survived by her spouse of nearly 50 years, William Odem Wise; her daughter Sarah Wise Schaff (& husband, Jarid Schaff), son John Lounsbury Wise ( & wife, Charlotte Wise); daughter Laura Agnes Wise ( & husband, Eric Hain); grandchildren, Vivienne, Charles, Alexandra & Hugo; sister Mary Lounsbury, brother Thomas Lounsbury ( & partner, Dan Becton), nephew Matt Lounsbury (& wife, Kate Towers), niece, Kirsten Lounsbury, great-niece, Karen Lounsbury & great-nephew, Holland Lounsbury close family friend Danny Chalk and countless other family members and friends.