Ruth Mae (White) Ziemniak Gross' Obituary
Ruth Mae White Ziemniak Gross passed away peacefully on December 9, 2025, at the age of 103. She was born on August 27, 1922, to Mae Ann and Edwin Louis White.
Ruth will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, laughter, and deep love of family. A loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, she will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
From a young age, Ruth was a hardworking and dedicated woman, beginning with daily chores on her family’s dairy farm. Throughout her life, she worked in several positions, including Michigan Bell, the Shell Casing Factory, and Sears Roebuck. Ruth was especially proud of her work at the Willow Run Air Force Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, during World War II, where she was one of the original “Rosie the Riveters.”
Ruth is survived by her precious daughters, Pam (Rick Knuth) Ziemniak and Vicki (Dave) Uutinen; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Gross; six grandchildren, Nels (Colleen) Uutinen, Scott Gorny, Heather Gorny, Jennifer (Steven) Sadoway, and David Gross; great-grandchildren, Bella, Tanner, Brenner, Evie, James, Landon, Easton, and Connor, along with many wonderful nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mae Ann and Edwin Louis White; her brothers, Bud (Bessie) White, Louis (Vi) White, and Hamilton (Bea) White; son, Milton Gross; and her loving husbands, Stanely Ziemniak and Hendrix Gross.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Commerce United Methodist Church, 1155 N. Commerce Rd., Commerce Twp., MI 48382. Interment will be in Southfield Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at https://www.sytsemafh.com.
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