In July 2017,  Ruth retired as a pastor in the ELCA, most recently serving at St. John's Lutheran Church in Schuyler, NE for 11 years. She served also in the community, including a task force that comes to fruition this fall in the build of a home through the Schuyler Extension of Columbus (NE) Habitat for Humanity. Ruth also continues to interact with the growing community of Congolese residents of Schuyler.