Ruth Goertz Reiselt, 61, of North Port, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012. She was sleeping peacefully and in the presence of her loving husband Les, and four adoring birdman cats, Smokey, Suki, Sachi and Seiji.

Ruth was born in Goessel, Kan., in 1950, to Earnest and Elma (nee Goertzen) Goertz.

She was a graduate of Bethel College in Newton, Kan., with a degree in music. Ruth’s working career was with REA and Associates in New Philadelphia, Ohio, where she had started as a secretary, and retired as the senior tax partner of what had become one of the top 100 CPA firms in the nation. Ruth was the first female in her area to become prominent in male-dominated businesses and organizations. She was the first female partner in her firm, the first female officer at Union Country Club in Dover, Ohio, and a member and officer of numerous boards and organizations in Ohio and several nationwide and beyond. Ruth and Les retired from Ohio in 2003, and moved to North Port. She was a member of the North Port Chorale, The Soundsations, and the choir at Port Charlotte United Methodist Church in Port Charlotte, Fla., where she and Les were members.

Ruth is survived by her loving husband, Les; four birdman cats; stepchildren, Erich (Christa) Reiselt of Ohio, and Kurt (Marie) Reiselt of Ohio; mother, Elma Goertz of Kansas; grandson, Jacob Reiselt; sisters, Emily Goertz of Washington, Dorothy Goertz of Connecticut, Esther (Stan) Epp of Kansas, Naomi (Chris) Ingraham Goertz of Ohio; brother, Joel Goertz of Kansas; and numerous nieces and nephews, and their families. She was preceded in death by her father, Earnest; brother, Henry; and sister, Mary.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, at Port Charlotte United Methodist Church, 21075 Quesada Ave., Port Charlotte, FL 33952. In Newton, a memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, at Tabor Mennonite Church, 891 Chisholm Trail, Newton, KS 67114.

Arrangements were made in Port Charlotte.