Ruth Marie Laroche

Ruth Marie Laroche age 90 passed peacefully on May 19, 2026. Ruth was a devoted christian who looked forward to the day she would be called home to heaven and be with the Lord.

Ruth was born on July 26, 1935, in Zaberfeld, Germany, the daughter of the late Gottlob and Christine Pauline Schock Schuhmacher. She grew up on a farm alongside her twin sister and two older brothers. During the 1950s, Ruth unexpectedly met the love of her life Joseph Laroche. Joe was a Master Sargeant in the US Army and stationed in Germany. They married in 1958 and began their family life in Germany before later moving to the United States.

As a military family, Ruth and Joe lived in many places over the years, including Kentucky, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Germany. In 1972, Joe retired from the Army and the family made their permanent home in Orlando, Florida.

Ruth was devoted to her family and to raising their three children: Paul, Dianne and Susan. While caring for her family, she also earned an Associate’s Degree from Valencia Community College. She later worked for several credit unions, spending most of her career with Fairwinds Credit Union in Orlando. Ruth was an active member of First Baptist Church Orlando for many years and faithfully served as a fourth-grade Sunday School teacher into her early eighties. Ruth loved cooking meals for family and friends and enjoyed attending Bible studies and women’s fellowship groups. She also enjoyed sewing and swimming. Ruth and Joe shared a love of camping and travel, including several mission trips with their church. Ruth was always ready to share the Gospel and tell her story of how she came to know Christ. Her faith, kindness, and servant’s heart touched many lives.

After Joe passed away in 2007, Ruth continued to live independently in Orlando for many years. Ruth has 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. In 2021, she moved to South Carolina to be closer to family and to share precious time together. The staff at Harbison Shores Assisted Living also became wonderful caregivers to Ruth during her years in South Carolina.

We love and miss our Mom and Oma but are comforted to know that she is with the Lord and all our loved ones who have gone before.