Ruth B. Wetherington

Ruth B. Wetherington, 92, of Beaumont, Texas, passed away on Monday, January 15, 2024, at Christus Southeast Texas -St. Elizabeth Hospital, Beaumont, just three days short of her 93^rd birthday. She was born on January 18, 1931, in Bremen, Germany to Fritz and Erna Kruse. She was an only child. Ruth grew up in a very difficult time during WWII, when Berlin was being bombed nightly. At age 11, her parents sent her to a safer location in East Prussia, and there she was able to continue her education as well. She earned a technical arts degree as a Master Seamstress. In 1951, Ruth married Henry Fracht and they immigrated to the United States and became naturalized citizens after 5 years. Later in life, she enjoyed taking ballroom dancing lessons where she met Elwood Wetherington, her husband of 34 years.

Ruth owned and operated The Bridal Boutique on Calder Avenue for many years. She had a passion for cooking and baking, and her German heritage brought many delicious meals to the family table. For many years, she was an avid mahjong player. Ruth also made lifelong friends through her association with the German Club of the Golden Triangle. She had a gift for growing orchids, African violets, and other exotic flowers. She and Elwood loved to travel all over the world, and she got to visit many wonderful places. Ruth enjoyed riding hot air balloons and ride snowmobiles in the beautiful mountains of Red River, New Mexico. A lady of many talents, Ruth was also musically inclined, playing both the piano and the accordion.

Above all, she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and she will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her.

Survivors include her husband, Elwood Wetherington; children, Stuart Fracht of Beaumont and Carey Fracht and his wife, Patty, of Brookeland, Texas; stepchildren, Susan Puz and her husband, John, of Beaumont, Shawna Wetherington and her partner, Vincent Solis, of Round Rock, Texas; grandchildren, Matthew Fracht and his wife, Hannah, James Fracht, and his wife, Sierra, Adam Fracht and his wife, Monica, Jordan Fracht, Haylee (Fracht) Knauth and her husband, Patrick, Steven Puz and wife, Kelly, Colby Puz, Joshua Solis and Nicole Solis; great-grandchildren, Wesley Fracht, Cade Canizales, Phoebe Fracht, Farrah Fracht, Henry Fracht, Levi Fracht, Christopher Hart, Evalyn Puz, and Charlotte Puz. She is also survived by her cousin, Irene Herrmann of Berlin, Germany.

A gathering of Mrs. Wetherington’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., with her funeral service to follow at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, January 21, 2024, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her cremation arrangements will be handled through Broussard’s Crematorium.