Ruth Mae Dampf

Ruth Mae Dampf, 88, of Russellville, passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at California Care Center in California, Missouri.

She was born on April 1, 1938, in Cole County, Missouri, the daughter of Arthur and Ethrage (Hale) Hogg.

Ruth was a 1955 graduate of Eugene High School, where she excelled in athletics as an all-star basketball player. While attending school, she began working part time as a sales clerk at Woolworth five-and-dime in Jefferson City, Missouri.

After graduating high school, Ruth worked for two years as a long-distance operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. It was during this time that she met a young, skinny shoe salesman, and the rest is history. She was united in marriage on April 6, 1956, at Hickory Hill Baptist Church to Donald Paul Dampf, who preceded her in death on March 2, 2012.

She continued her journey in the workforce with Ralston Purina in California, Missouri. In 1972, Ruth entered the real estate market as a salesperson for Spalding Realty, later joining Gordon Co. Realtors, now Coldwell Banker Gordon Co., in Jefferson City.

During this time, she worked part time as secretary and office manager for Don Fahrni Cattle Order buyer in Russellville, a position she found to be highly challenging and something she truly enjoyed. After eleven years, she finally slowed down a little and settled into real estate full time.

One of her great joys was spending time in her vegetable garden. She loved canning green beans and tomato juice for her family to enjoy during the winter months. As an avid baker, she specialized in homemade pies and cinnamon rolls.
Spring and Fall were her most favorite seasons: Spring for hunting mushrooms—she could spot them a mile away—and Fall for picking up walnuts, an activity she expected her children to join in as soon as they stepped off the school bus.

Sports were always near and dear to her. Aside from playing basketball as a teenager, her early adulthood brought her to St. Joseph, Missouri, for a fast-pitch women’s softball State Championship, where she played a mean third base.

Ruth grew up in a home where hard work was not only taught but expected. Her work ethic was evident in every single day of her life. From bucking haybales alongside her husband and sons to providing her family with a full meal late at night after long days on the farm. This is the role model she was for her children and grandchildren.

Ruth loved trail rides in Texas, the mountains of Colorado, and playing cards. She also enjoyed watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball, Mizzou football and basketball, and Hallmark movies. She spent a lot of time following California Pinto sports, especially Girls Basketball.

She will be dearly missed by her children, Terry Spieler (Mark Rhoads), Mark (Jennifer) Dampf, and Danny (Jennifer) Dampf; seven grandchildren, Aaron (Ashley) Spieler, Abby Spieler, Drew Dampf, Kelci (Adam) Burger, Halie (Kaleb) Payne, Molly Dampf (special friend Jack Kanzler), and Isaac Dampf; five great-grandchildren, Ella Spieler, Lillie Burger, Monroe Payne, Miles Payne, and Vivienne Burger.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Paul Dampf; her parents; great-grandson, Marcus Daniel Payne; brothers, Arthur “Junior” Hogg, Jr., Lloyd Hogg, and J.D. Hogg; sisters, Betty White, Mary Williams, and Reva Buck; and sister-in-law, Bonnie Sestak.

Visitation will be 4–7 p.m., Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Corticelli Baptist Church, 57732 Highway C, Russellville, MO.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Corticelli Baptist Church with Pastor Greg Morrow officiating.

Burial will be in Enloe Cemetery, Russellville, MO.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Newborn Intensive Care Unit-Children’s Hospital University of Missouri, 1021 Hitt St., Columbia, MO 65212 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Russellville. trimblefunerals.com

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