She was born on Tuesday June 9, 1925, in Yorktown, Texas in Dr. H.C. Eckhardt Hospital. Dr. Eckhardt was the attending doctor with nurse, Edith Roeder. Jo Ruth’s parents were Henry Morisse and Johanna (Tips) Morisse of Nordheim, Texas. She was also welcomed by a brother, Henry Dick Morisse. Jo Ruth’s grandparents were Burghard Morisse and Elise (Janssen) Morisse; Alfred Tips and Mathilde (Lenz) Tips. Jo Ruth was baptized at home on November 6, 1925, by Rev. Homer Freeland of the First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown. She attended the Buesing School and received a DeWitt County Grammar School Diploma on May 21, 1938. Jo Ruth graduated from Yorktown High School in 1942. Jo Ruth joined the First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown in August of 1942. She attended Sunday School and had a perfect attendance pin for many years. She left home in September 1942 to attend college in Denton, Texas at the Texas State College for Women for one year. Then, she attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas for one year. She took a position and worked in the bank at Nordheim for several years. Jo Ruth had one brother, Henry Dick Morisse who died in Ireland during World War II when his plane crashed. He died on October 10, 1943, at the age of 22 years and was buried in Nordheim, Texas July 27, 1948.

On February 24, 1947, Jo Ruth was united in marriage with Elmo Neutzler in St. Paul Lutheran Church of Nordheim by the Rev. Louis Kramer. Four children were born to this union, Marian Ruth, Elmo Clinton, Shirley Lynn, and Charles Henry. Jo Ruth and Elmo raised their children on the family farm near Cottonpatch.

In 1966, Jo Ruth went to work at the Nordheim School as the secretary and bookkeeper for 22 years and remained a loyal fan of the Nordheim Pirates.

Elmo and Jo Ruth moved to Nordheim from the farm in 1978. They enjoyed sitting on the front porch and visiting with their neighbors and friends. They were married 59 years when Elmo passed away in 2006.

Jo Ruth served on the church newsletter committee and enjoyed attending Young at Heart at St. Paul Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Nordheim Garden Club, Nordheim Volunteer Fire Department, and a lifetime member of the Nordheim PTA. She recently received her pin for 75 years with Hermann Sons Life-Nordheim.

Jo Ruth became a resident of AlzCare at Cuero in 2021 where she continued sitting on the front porch. She appreciated Mrs. Strait and the staff who treated her with TLC.

In 2022, Jo Ruth was honored by the town that she loved as one of the Grand Marshals of the parade for Nordheim’s 125th Anniversary and declared that was “one of the best days of my life”.

Jo Ruth was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and Oma. She cared for her family during sickness and health. She was the heart of her family. Her children, granddaughters, and great grandchildren were her pride and greatest joy. May her legacy of love continue through them.

Jo Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Johanna and Henry Morisse; brother, Henry Dick Morisse; her husband, Elmo Neutzler; son, Elmo Clinton Neutzler, Jr; and daughter, Marian Ruth Neutzler.

She is survived by her daughter, Shirley Karnei and son-inlaw, Rodney Karnei; her son, Charles Neutzler and daughter- in-law, Janette Neutzler. Granddaughters, Sarah (Derrell) Skillman, Kimberly (Jeremy) Pierce, Lisa Karnei, Jackie (Drew) Crow, and Charlsie (Chase) Nickerson. Great grandsons, Trey and Devin Skillman; Tucker, Preston, and Eli Pierce; Wesley Nickerson and Henry Crow; Great granddaughter, Ella Crow.

The Pallbearers will be Drew Crow, Chase Nickerson, Jeremy Pierce, Tucker Pierce, Derrell Skillman, and Trey Skillman. Honorary Pallbearers are her granddaughters and great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 3pm to 5pm at Finch Funeral Chapel in Yorktown. Funeral Services will be 2:00 pm Monday, May 19, 2025, also at the Finch Funeral Chapel with Pastor Kevin Karnei officiating. Interment will follow at Nordheim Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church of Nordheim, Nordheim ISD Education Foundation, or donor’s choice.

You are invited to sign the online guest book at www.finchfuneralchapels. com.

Arrangements entrusted to Finch Funeral Chapel – Yorktown, 361-564-2277.