WOLCOTTVILLE — Ruth "Ruthie" Elaine Ihrie, age 73, of Wolcottville, passed away on Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, at her residence. Mrs. Ihrie was born on Nov. 23, 1942, in DeKalb County at home to the late William and Victoria (Case) Fischer. She graduated from Avilla High School in 1960. On March 11, 1967, she married her husband of nearly 50 years, Kent Ihrie, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Avilla. Ruthie had a daycare for over 21 years in Kendallville, where she took loving care of many children. She was a member at Immaculate Conception in Kendallville and St. Gaspar Del Bufalo Catholic Church in Rome City. She enjoyed bowling and belonged to the Monday Night Sally's Bowling League in Kendallville. Ruthie did not know a stranger and was what you would call a people person. She loved spending time with her family and grandchildren, and focused her life around them. Survivors include her husband, Kent Ihrie of Wolcottville; daughters, Dawn Renee and Brian Ramsey of Kendallville, and Sara and Chase Paduano of Rome City; sons, Chad and Dawn Ihrie of Kendallville, and Mark Ihrie and Alyssia Mickem of Kendallville; grandchildren, Kaityln, Kourtney and Kyle Ramsey, Anna and Carson Ihrie, Kendall Mickem, Colton Ihrie, and Jerred Paduano; sisters, Alice Huth of Fort Wayne and Nancy Lamb of Auburn; brothers, Donald "Butch" and Connie Fischer of Fort Wayne, Steven Fischer of Avilla and Chuck Fischer of Leo; sister, Roberta and Nick Weber of Kendallville; sister-in-law, Carolyn Taylor of Kendallville; brother-in-law, Amos Delong of Auburn; and several nieces and nephews. Countless kids called Ruthie their second mom. Ruthie was also preceded in death by her brother, Thomas Fischer; and sisters, Delores Lamb, Barbara Hippenhammer, Irene Delong and Jeanette Fischer. Visitation will be held on Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, from 2-8 p.m. at Hite Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Kendallville. A Rosary service will take place at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, at 11 a.m. at St. Gaspar Del Bufalo Catholic Church, Wolcottville. Burial will take place at Woodruff Cemetery near Wolcottville. Officiating the Mass of Christian Burial will be Father Bernard Ramenaden. Memorial donations may be directed to the . People may send a condolence to the family at hitefuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Hite Funeral Home of Kendallville.