Mrs. Ruth Normalee Ladd

Ruth Normalee Ladd, 81, of Apopka, Florida, was born on November 30, 1942 to Harry and Sylvia Plank in Salem, Missouri.  She was the 8^th child of 16 children born to their family.  Ruth loved being part of a large family, and accompanied one of her older sisters to the East coast where she met Stephen Ladd for the first time in Amesbury, MA.  After a year-long courtship they married on February 15, 1964, at the home of Ruth’s parents In Salem.  The ceremony was performed by Stephen’s father, James Ladd, a Northern Convention Baptist minister.  Ruth and Steve had three children during the course of their marriage.

Ruth’s faith was very important to her, and her family meant everything to her.  She loved going to annual Plank family reunions and having her whole immediate family together at Christmas time.

Ruth was a member of the Markham Woods Seventh-day Adventist Church and enjoyed being a part of the Open Book Sabbath school class. She liked studying the Bible with her friends, especially when they studied the book at Psalms, which was her favorite.

She finished her earthly race on April 26, 2024 surrounded by family in her home.  She was preceded in death by her parents, nine siblings, and two granddaughters.  She is survived by her husband, Stephen Ladd, her son Bryan and wife Kathy, daughter Becky and husband David Rodman, daughter Missy and husband Jim Riesen, granddaughter Amy (Ladd) and husband Michael Gray, grandson David Rodman II, and grandson Connor Riesen.

Ruth was well loved by family and friends alike and will be greatly missed.  She will be remembered for her great faith and immense love for her family.  She loved playing hymns, taking care of children, and loved PEANUT BUTTER!