Patricia "Pat" Ruemke

On December 19, 2012, Patricia Marie Ruemke left us to be with the Lord. Pat was born on October 17, 1933 in Los Angeles, CA to the late George and Irene Harris. She was also preceded into heaven by her daughter, Gail DeVesa Heckmann. She is survived by Al Ruemke, her husband of 58 years, and her children, Linda Michaut, Ron Blomquist, Ted Ruemke and his wife, Cindy, and Jill Schmidt and her husband, Joel, and her beloved grandchildren, Bryan, Ben, Ronnie, Heimana, Madelaine, Marie, Heather, Lydia and Ryan, great grandchildren, Abby and Ella. She also is survived by her sister, Marguerite Whyte, and her brother, George Harris, and many, many friends. Pat is a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ocean Springs, MS. She received her bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University, her master’s degree from William Carey University, and was a doctoral candidate at American University. She taught school at St. Martin Junior High, The Rose School in Washington, D.C., and McKinley Elementary School in Arlington, VA. Over the years of her life, her prior students continually reached out to tell her how grateful they were to have had her as their teacher. Pat believed that “you can,” and persevered until her students achieved what she believed was their potential. Her specialization was with students in special education. A visitation service will be held on December 23, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 921 Ocean Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, and will be followed by a memorial service beginning at 3:00 p.m. Interment will follow at the Crestlawn Memorial Park in Ocean Springs. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs is in charge of arrangements.