Jo Ruth was the beloved daughter of Henry and Johanna (Tips) Morisse of Nordheim, Texas, and was welcomed by her older brother, Henry Dick Morisse. Her grandparents were Burghard and Elise (Janssen) Morisse, and Alfred and Mathilde (Lenz) Tips.
She was baptized at home on November 6, 1925, by Rev. Homer Freeland of the First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown, beginning a lifelong commitment to faith and community.
Jo Ruth attended Buesing School, earning her DeWitt County Grammar School Diploma on May 21, 1938, before graduating from Yorktown High School in 1942. That same year, she officially joined the First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown, where she proudly earned perfect attendance pins for many years.
In pursuit of higher education, she left home in September 1942 to attend Texas State College for Women in Denton for a year, later transferring to Trinity University in San Antonio. She then took a position at the Nordheim bank, where she worked for several years.
Jo Ruth endured heartbreak early in life with the passing of her brother, Henry Dick Morisse, who lost his life in World War II when his plane crashed in Ireland on October 10, 1943, at the age of 22. He was laid to rest in Nordheim, Texas, on July 27, 1948.
On February 24, 1947, Jo Ruth married Elmo Neutzler at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Nordheim, officiated by Rev. Louis Kramer. Together, they built a loving home on the family farm near Cottonpatch, raising their four children: Marian Ruth, Elmo Clinton, Shirley Lynn, and Charles Henry.
In 1966, Jo Ruth began working at Nordheim School as a secretary and bookkeeper, dedicating 22 years to the institution while remaining a loyal fan of the Nordheim Pirates.
After moving to Nordheim from the family farm in 1978, she and Elmo cherished their time on the front porch, sharing conversations with friends and neighbors. Their marriage lasted 59 years, until Elmo’s passing in 2006.
Jo Ruth was a dedicated servant of St. Paul Lutheran Church, actively contributing to the church newsletter committee and Young at Heart. She was a member of the Nordheim Garden Club, Nordheim Volunteer Fire Department, and a lifelong member of the Nordheim PTA. In recognition of her commitment, she recently received her 75-year pin from Hermann Sons Life-Nordheim.
In 2021, Jo Ruth moved to AlzCare at Cuero, where she continued her tradition of enjoying time on the front porch. She was deeply grateful to Mrs. Strait and the staff for their kind and compassionate care.
Her love for Nordheim was honored in 2022, when she proudly served as one of the Grand Marshals for Nordheim’s 125th Anniversary Parade, calling it “one of the best days of my life.”
Jo Ruth was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and Oma. She was the heart of her family, caring for loved ones in sickness and health. Her children, granddaughters, and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy, and her legacy of love will continue through them.
Jo Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Johanna Morisse, her brother, Henry Dick Morisse, her husband, Elmo Neutzler, and her children, Elmo Clinton Neutzler Jr. and Marian Ruth Neutzler.
She is survived by her daughter, Shirley Karnei, and her husband, Rodney Karnei; and her son, Charles Neutzler, and his wife, Janette Neutzler. Her granddaughters include Sarah and her husband, Derrell Skillman; Kimberly and her husband, Jeremy Pierce; Lisa Karnei; Jackie and her husband, Drew Crow; and Charlsie and her husband, Chase Nickerson. Her great-grandsons are Trey and Devin Skillman; Tucker, Preston, and Eli Pierce; Wesley Nickerson; and Henry Crow. Her great-granddaughter is Ella Crow.
Pallbearers: Drew Crow, Chase Nickerson, Jeremy Pierce, Tucker Pierce, Derrell Skillman, and Trey Skillman. Honorary pallbearers: her granddaughters and great-grandchildren.
Pastor Kevin Karnei officiating funeral services. Interment will follow funeral services at Nordheim Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church of Nordheim, Nordheim ISD Education Foundation, or the donor’s choice.
May her memory be a blessing to all who knew her.