Ruth Ann's Funeral Costs

There are so many wonderful stories that could be said about Ruth Ann Holzapfel. Her crazy adventure started when she adopted her children Harlen, Juan, and Luisa from Colombia. She was so happy to be able to call them her children and watch them grow up over the years. She not only gained three children, but three wonderful grandchildren— Ty'Air, Camilo, and August. To her kids she was a mother, their safe haven, and now their guardian angel. But to others she was a daughter, a sister, an Aunt Ruthie, niece, cousin, soccer mom, and a friend to those who loved her. Out of all of these, her favorite was being a mother and a Nana. Her presence never went unnoticed, especially because her energy radiated through every room she entered. 

Ruth Ann will always be remembered for her bright pink lipstick, her love of shopping, compulsive cleaning, how she could talk your ear off about anything, and for being the crazy photographer at any event she attended— with not only the good, but also the very bad pictures making it to Facebook. She never missed a birthday, graduation, or any event, and would give her last to help anyone in need without thinking twice about it. Ruth Ann has touched so many lives. In the eyes of her children, she gave them everything she could and more. She gave them a family and showed them the ability to stay together. She chose them and became their mother. Ruth Ann did everything she could to give them the perfect life and show them what it meant to be a family. Now, we want to do everything we can to ensure her a peaceful transition, continue her traditions, and live for her in the way we believe she would have wanted.

Ruth Ann has been fighting over the years to get through her health complications while being in and out of the hospital. Her complications included diabetic struggles which required many emergency room visits and long hospital stays. Regardless of how sick she was, she always seemed to bounce back and couldn't wait to get home. She had many unanswered questions about her health and her death was very unexpected. Unfortunately, earlier this year, she was diagnosed with COVID-19 and having pneumonia did not make it easier. After seeming to recover from the virus, in the aftermath she developed a severe infection that impacted her lungs. Many teams of doctors spent numerous hours trying to find the best course of treatment, but they just couldn't seem to figure out the exact diagnosis and proper treatment.


On December 15th, after spending all day shopping with her grandson, she came home to have what would be her last meal with her parents. In a matter of minutes, she had an aortic aneurysm that ruptured causing her to suffer from severe internal and external bleeding. Before we knew it, our world came crashing down and the woman who would do anything for us was gone. 

We are asking for prayers as we try to figure out what a life without our mom is going to consist of, which seems to be unimaginable. Additionally, we want our mother to have the funeral and resting place that she deserves. As the woman who did anything for others, our mother deserves to be sent home with dignity and love. We will utilize any funds to offset the funds for her funeral and burial. Any additional funds will be utilized to care for her current finances, as she was the primary caregiver for her parents— Ruth and William Holzapfel. These funds will also allow saving accounts to be set up for her three grandsons that she adored. We would greatly appreciate any contributions toward Ruth Ann's unforeseen funeral arrangements as well as your prayers.