Margarete Ruth Waschulczick Phillips Obituary (1929

Margarete Ruth Waschulczick Phillips, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2024 surrounded by family in her daughter's home. She was a devoted daughter of God and servant of Christ. She has joyfully reunited with her husband, parents and many other loved ones on the other side of the veil. Ruth was born on January 18, 1929 in Paulshagen, East Prussia, Germany to Wilhelm Waschulczick and Martha Kozianka. She was raised on a farm in a small village and always described her early childhood as happy. Her mother passed away when she was only 11, a loss she felt her entire life. Near the end of World War II, at the age of 16 and with only a young woman her own age as a companion, she was forced to flee her home because of the invading Russian army. This flight from East Germany was filled with all of the unimaginable horrors of war but God's watchful eye was over her and He miraculously directed her path to eventual safety. Ruth was a deeply committed servant of the Lord. When the missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints taught her the Plan of Salvation she immediately knew it was true. It brought her so much comfort and hope that she would be reunited with her mother again. She was baptized on August 10, 1950 in Göttingen, Germany. She immigrated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada in September 1951 and moved to Salt Lake City in January 1954. She served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern States Mission. One of her dear companions, JoAnn Phillips, arranged for Ruth to write to her handsome brother, Douglas, who was trying to learn German. Shortly after they met in person they were engaged to be married. She married Robert Douglas Phillips on October 29, 1957 in the Salt Lake Temple. They raised five children in their home on Grandview Hill in Provo: Gregory D. Phillips (Cynthia) of Heber, Utah; Katherine R. Maines (Ronald) of Alpine, Utah; Marcus C. Phillips (Rhonda) of Lehi, Utah; Rosemary M. Heilner (Joseph) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Julia J. Woolf (Derick) of American Fork, Utah. Her posterity includes 19 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Ruth was a dedicated mother and homemaker. She was always creative with her limited resources and provided a happy home life for her family. She mastered the arts of gardening, canning, cooking, baking, sewing, and other skills, and was always eager to share with others. Ruth quietly served her family and neighbors selflessly and had a tender heart for those less fortunate. She was a force for good and this world won't be the same without this extraordinary woman. Douglas's wanderlust took the family to Europe numerous times. Ruth and Douglas spent 10 months in Greece with their family when Douglas did a sabbatical at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. They also led two BYU Study Abroad groups to Vienna, Austria. Although Ruth was always reluctant to leave her home to follow Douglas on these extended adventures, she was supportive, never regretted the experiences they had, and loved the many friends she was always quick to make. Ruth was always eager to share her testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She and Douglas served three missions together. They were first called to preside over the Greece Athens Mission as the first mission leaders in Greece. Ruth didn't speak much Greek but her love for the people allowed her to communicate in her unique way. Douglas and Ruth were honored to serve the Greek people with their beloved Elders and Sisters. Shortly after their return from Greece, Ruth and Douglas were blessed to serve another mission at the Provo MTC. Their third mission was in the Freiberg Germany Temple. This temple mission allowed Ruth to return to her childhood home for the first time in 55 years, make peace with her war-torn past, and come to love the Russian people, many of whom were patrons of the temple. Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her three brothers: Alfred, Ewald and Gunther; and three sisters: Elfriede, Erika and Irmgard. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 7, 2024 at the LDS Grandview 13th Ward Building, 1260 West 1150 North, Provo, Utah. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, December 7, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment: Lehi City Cemetery, 1525 North 600 East, Lehi, Utah. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.bergmortuary.com. Those who are unable to attend are invited to view online: https://youtube.com/live/MJGC-Wmersk?feature=share