Ruth Lillian (Pettersen) Will

Ruth Lillian Will of Rockaway Township, NJ passed peacefully into heaven on the 7th of August surrounded by loved ones.

She was born in Brooklyn, NY to the late Arnie and Esther Pettersen. After having worked as a floral designer and engineer at the phone company, she married her best friend, Henry, and looked forward to starting a family. When Allison was born, she relished being a new mom. Next, Kristen was born and she enjoyed being a mom again. When Jonathan was born later, she was overjoyed to complete her family. Ruth loved flowers, birds, and butterflies and continued her work part-time as a floral designer as her children grew.

She was always supportive and encouraging as a wife and mother and her family was her biggest passion. She kept them in prayer continuously, even more so as the family grew. As spouses were added, she was thrilled to include them in her prayers and care. The family grew again with eight grandchildren for which she enjoyed praying, sewing, shopping, and loving. Grandma always had a few pieces of candy in her bag to spoil them.

She was an active volunteer for many years in church (including youth group, Sunday school, VBS, Moms in Prayer, and acolytes) and at Ocean Grove, NJ (Ladies Auxiliary, nursery, children’s shows, praying with people at the altar rail, and as an active participant in the summer tent colony for 40 years). She enjoyed crafting, crocheting, needlepoint, and floral design, but what she enjoyed most was taking care of the family. Her service over the years has touched many lives and led many to Jesus.

She is survived by her beloved husband Henry Will of Rockaway Township, NJ, as well as her children, Allison and her husband Rich, Kristen and her husband Blake, and Jonathan and his wife Abigail. She is dearly missed by them and her eight grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sister Carol Scott (wife of the late Jim Scott) and her brother Raymond Pettersen (and his wife, Brenda) along with many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She loved all of them deeply!

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, August 11th, 5-8pm at Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church 113 S. Hillside Ave., Succasunna, NJ. Funeral service will also be held at the church on Friday, August 12th, 10am. Followed by interment at Locust Hill Cemetery.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, but we are rejoicing she is with Jesus in Heaven. Donations in her name can be made to "Joni and Friends" (wheelchairs for children), Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA), Market Street Mission (Morristown), Samaritan's Purse, the Salvation Army, or Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church.

There will be a memorial service to follow in Ocean Grove in 2023. Details to follow.

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