Ruthanna M. Doerstler

Ruthanna M. (Freidenbloom) Doerstler, of Lancaster, affectionately known as “The Kid” by her late husband, Wayne, was reunited with him in death on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Ruthanna was born August 1, 1949, in Hollidaysburg, PA, to John A. and Gretna M. (Stiffler) Freidenbloom. She is survived by two aunts, Joyce (Stiffler) Emerich, of Elizabethtown, PA and Nellie (Appleman) Stiffler of Virginia; two brothers, John A., Jr. and Dale F. of Hollidaysburg, PA; two sisters, Verna (Cathy) Hillery of Houston, TX, and Leona J. Jones of Ventura, CA; one nephew, four nieces, four great-nieces, one great-nephew, two great-great nephews, one great-great niece and numerous cousins. Ruthanna was a 1967 graduate of Hollidaysburg Area High School and a long time resident of Lancaster, PA, where she worked for Dart Industries and later, Federal-Mogul. After retiring from Federal-Mogul in 2010, she worked part-time for Manheim Auto Auction. Her hobbies and interests included bird watching, bowling and ice dancing. Ruthanna began ice skating in 1971 at Park City Ice Skating Rink and later joined the Hershey Figure Skating Club, where she and her skate partner, Gene Henkel, won numerous metals in Hershey and Philadelphia area competitions. Ruthanna met her husband, Wayne, in Hollidaysburg, PA, while working as a waitress at Dave’s Dream. They were married August 17, 1975. Wayne was a flight engineer gunner on a B-17 flying Fortress during World War II. He was a lifetime member of the 398th Bomb Group, which Ruthanna joined in 1988. They enjoyed traveling and visited many countries including Germany, Belgium, Scotland, and England. For their 13th anniversary, they went on an Alaskan cruise. Wayne preceded her in death on January 3, 2002. In lieu of flowers, Ruthanna asked that donations be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 558 W. Walnut St., Lancaster, PA; Saint Ambrose Catholic Church, 201 Ramble Street, Schuylkill Haven, PA; or 398th Bomb Group Association, c/o Dawn Dougherty, 915 S. 9th Street, Harrisburg, OR 97446-9585. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2016, 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 558 W. Walnut St., Lancaster, PA 17603, where she was a member. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband in the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. There will not be a viewing or graveside service.