Ruth Inga Landon

( October 31, 1932 - May 05, 2023 )

 

Ruth Inga Landon (Moe), 90, of Freeport peacefully passed Friday, May 5, 2023. Born October 31, 1932, in Hastings Michigan, to Sjur and Margot Moe.

 

In 1950 Ruth took her future husband Wayne to his 1st car race, beginning a passionate racing tradition that would be passed down for generations. 

 

She married Wayne in 1952, having 5 children Rita, Jerry, Terry, Linda, and Lorie. She worked as a waitress in Hastings also at The Piston ring.

 

In 1958 she was the winner of a powderpuff race at Lansing speedway using her husband’s race car. 

 

In 1956 tragedy struck, and daughter Rita, age 3, was lost due to an accident at Hastings speedway. Devastation struck again in 1979, when son Terry age 19 was in a fatal auto accident. Then again in 1989 a racing accident took son Jerry.

 

Despite the hardship she faced, Ruth held steadfast. Devoted to her husband, and their surviving children, grandchildren, and family business.

 

In 2000, she won her battle against breast cancer. Despite the harsh chemo treatment, she never missed a race that season. She was awarded “Woman of The Year” by the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

 

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years Wayne Landon, 2 brothers and 7 sisters, her sons Jerry and Terry and daughter Rita.

 

She is survived by her sister Janice, daughters Linda (Teddy) and Lorie, 6 grandchildren Nick (Katie), Chris (Emily), Tracy (Sky), Stacy, Lydia, Emily (John), Great-granddaughter Inga who helped in caring for her, and Wayne in their final years. She also leaves behind 10 other great-grandchildren.

 

Ruth was very loved and will be missed terribly. Her family will continue to live her legacy by enjoying car races, rock collecting, frog watching, and cooking big meals together. 

 

Visitation will be on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM with a Celebration of Life to follow at Noon at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway; Hastings, Michigan 49058. A luncheon will follow at the Woodgrove Church in Coats Grove, Michigan.  Memorial contributions for a monument marker will be greatly appreciated. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net