Elizabeth “Bess” Louise Ruppert, of Kent, age 81, beloved wife, mother, Nana and friend, peacefully passed away at her home on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, surrounded by loved ones. She is in the hands of her Lord. Bess is survived by her husband Ralph, son Paul, daughter Amy (Bader), their spouses: Jennifer Tobias and August “Gus” Bader and 3 grandchildren: Elizabeth (her namesake), August “A.J.” and Margaret Bader.

Bess was born, Elizabeth Louise Mussche on April 10, 1929, in Hoboken, N.J., to Belgian immigrant parents Peter and Antoinette Mussche. She moved to New York City as a young child where she enjoyed a happy childhood. At age 14 she and her family moved back to Hoboken to be closer to her Aunt, Uncle and Cousin. Bess graduated from Dumont High School in 1947 where she met the love of her life, Ralph E. Ruppert, a returning World War II submarine vet.

After graduating, Bess worked in New York at the Swiss Bank. Bess and Ralph married on Oct. 6, 1951, and began their newlywed life in Philadelphia, Pa., where Bess made many lifelong friends. In 1956 they then moved to Long Island, N.Y., for about 2 years until the Boeing Co. brought them to Washington state in 1959. Here, Bess added to her list of great friends. In the 1980s, she worked for the Federal Way School District as the superintendent’s administrative secretary.

She devoted her life to caring for her family and her garden and working at her church, St. Vincent de Paul in Federal Way. She was a gracious hostess and many enjoyed her milestone celebrations as well as intimate dinners around the dining room table. Bess leaves behind a legacy of love that will live on through those she touched forever.

A celebration of her life was held Monday, Feb. 28, at St. Vincent De Paul Church, 3025 8th Ave. S., Federal Way.