Marvel Ruth (née Albertson) (Hoffman) Welch, age 103 of Chevy Chase, Maryland, died July 24, 2024, at her home in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Ruth was born June 21, 1921, south of Green City, Missouri, to Edward Vinson Albertson and Cora Page Albertson. She was the third-born of five children.
Ruth graduated from Green City High School as valedictorian in 1938 and taught rural schools in Sullivan and Putnam counties before marrying in 1941 at the age of 20. In 1949, she graduated with honors from Northeast Missouri State Teacher’s College (now Truman State University), Kirksville, Missouri, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education and went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Business from the University of Wyoming, Laramie. She taught at public schools 40 and one-half years, 7 and a half years at the university level (University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS; Mankato State University, MN; Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, MO; California State University, Northridge, Los Angeles, CA). The last years she taught at Lawson High School, Lawson, Missouri. Ruth retired in 1986 and moved to Kansas City, Missouri. In 2009, Ruth moved to Chevy Chase, Maryland, to live near her son and his family.
Ruth was an independent woman and trailblazer. Possession of these traits was not uncommon for the women in her family – her mother and grandmother were also remarkable women. She also received and was grateful for the strong, sustained support of her parents and her siblings, each of whom possessed strong, determined personalities. Ruth was a single mother in the 1940s; she moved around the country to continue her education, obtain business-related summer jobs, and teaching appointments during the rest of the year so she could support her family. In 1953-1954, Ruth was Principal of the Sergeant Bluff High School (near Sioux City, Iowa), where she provided leadership and support, especially for her female colleagues. She advocated for pay equity at her job – convincing school administrators to pay women who were supporting children and their families the same salary as male teachers – which was unheard of at the time. As a young girl, her family’s comfortable living changed drastically during the Great Depression when the rural economy shut down. Her farming family could grow their own food, which meant they were not hungry, but nearly every commodity was an unobtainable luxury. This experience instilled an unstinting work ethic that Ruth practiced; her example was an inspiration to others whom she taught and mentored. Her former students (and educational colleagues) frequently acknowledged their appreciation for her clear, organized instructional methods that prepared them well to achieve and accomplish goals in their subsequent careers. Ruth navigated work, relocations, family, and community with exceptional drive, determination, and perseverance. Ruth was a true survivor who remained devoted to her roots. She was passionate about politics, sports (baseball, basketball, and football), and her family.
Survivors include one son: Howard J. Hoffman, his wife Virginia (Snyder), Potomac, Maryland; six grandchildren: John M. Hoffman, Webster City, IA; David and Roseann Hoffman, Archie, MO; Shelly (Blunt) and Stephen Glueckert, Evansville, IN; Emily Hoffman, Kirksville, MO; Erik H. Hoffman, Ft. Wayne, IN; and Anne E. (Hoffman) and Andrew Freedman, Philadelphia, PA; one sister-in-law, Roseva (Eitel) Albertson, Ames, IA; nine great-grandchildren, two great-great granddaughters, and 11 nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death was one son, Dr. Victor (“Vic”) Francis Hoffman, III, and daughter-in-law Carol (Kenepp) Hoffman and two former spouses, Victor Francis Hoffman, Jr., and Dr. Allen Howard Welch; two sisters, Helen Irene Albertson and Lois Edwyna (Albertson) and her husband Curtis Kammeyer; two brothers, Hubert H. Albertson, and T. Jay Albertson and his wife Lou (Coleman) Albertson.
Ruth was a member of the Methodist Church, active in the Red Bridge AARP Chapter 804, and DAR Elizabeth Benton Chapter while living in retirement in South Kansas City. After moving to the Five Star Residences of Chevy Chase, MD, she formed long-lasting friendships and bonds with several notable retired residents who had pioneering professional careers in the Federal government and community service. For the past several years, Ruth was lovingly cared for by her nursing aide, Ms. Stephanie Forbi.
Funeral service at the Ruschmeier-Smith Funeral Home, Green City, Missouri will be held Saturday at 2:00 pm, with visitation starting an hour before at 1:00 pm; the Reverend Michael York, Winigan, Missouri Christian Church presiding. Burial following the service will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Green City.
Pallbearers: Edward Albertson, Steven Albertson, Shane Albertson, Lon Dehnert, Andrew Freedman, Stephen Glueckert, Erik Hoffman.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Ruth (Albertson, Hoffman) Welch may be registered with the Ruschmeier-Smith Funeral Home, Green City, MO. The family suggests contributions to the National Headache Foundation (https://headaches.org/), Mount Olivet Cemetery in Green City, Missouri, or the Truman State University Business School, Kirksville, Missouri.
