Virginia Averill Ruch

A celebration of life service for Virginia Averill Ruch, 101, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 16, 2023, at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery officiated by Pastor Rick Rutledge. 

Mrs. Ruch passed away at 7:45 p.m., Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at Whispering Pine Place, West Vue Green House Homes.  

She was born December 21, 1921, at Buffalo, New York, to Felix Eugene Averill and Susanah Lois Strauss Averill.  Virginia grew up and attended school in upstate New York until the family moved to Maryland.  She graduated from George Washington University, Washington D.C. with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.  She also attended on a scholarship the Corcoran School of Art, Washington, D.C.  As WWII was then in progress, Virginia studied occupational therapy and began working in Army hospitals until the war was over.  On September 13, 1947, she was married at Excelsior Springs, Missouri, to the love of her life, Avery Gordon Ruch, who preceded her in death on January 9, 2007.  The couple lived in Albany, Missouri for a few years, spent time in Kansas and New Mexico before settling down in the then thriving mountain town of Del Norte, Colorado.  It was there that Avery established his watch and jewelry store and Virginia spent ten years as a stay at home mom.  She was later employed by the County to work in child welfare supervising foster homes and helping families with adoptions.  The family moved after twenty years; Virginia loved that country and was heard to say that part of her was still there.  In 1973 the family moved back to West Plains, Missouri.  Avery continued his work and Virginia worked in occupational therapy at West Vue Nursing Center, the only such facility in town at that time.  She later continued at what is now known as Brooke Haven.  Mrs. Ruch retired at the age of 76 to enjoy her many interests and hobbies.  She read extensively, painted and entered many art shows; she loved taking long walks in the parks and around town, exploring the beauty and history of the Ozarks.  Mrs. Ruch was a long time member of the First Christian Church of West Plains.

She is survived by one daughter, Marianne Mock, Springfield, Missouri; one step-daughter, Barbara Starr, King City, Missouri; six grandchildren, Jonathon Mock, Benjamon Mock, Elizabeth Mock-Cass and husband, Dustin, Ariel Ruch, Nathan Ruch, Sylvia Jenner and husband, Jesse; four great-grandchildren, Josephine Jenner, Taylor Ruch, Joshua and Allison Mock; and several nieces and nephews. 

Her parents, her husband of 59 years, three sons, Gary Allen Ruch, Daniel Avery Ruch and David Wayne Ruch, one grandson, Levi Mock, one brother, Felix Eugene Averill and wife, Dorothea, one sister, Lois Elizabeth Ellis and husband, Emmerson, preceded her in death.    

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.