Dr. Ruth Marie Mirtz was born on July 24th, 1959 to her parents, Ben F. Mirtz and Gwen Bose. Gwen (Bose) Mirtz was born on December 24th, 1935 and her husband Ben F. Mirtz was born on April 30th, 1932. The two were married on December 20th, 1955. Ben’s mother, Katharena Wildermuth, was born on December 18th, 1903 near Linton, ND. She married, Jacob Mirtz, on June 23rd, 1925 in Linton, ND. Katherena was the daughter of Wilhelm Wildermuth and Christianna (Zacher) Wildermuth.

Wilhelm Wildermuth was born on September 6th, 1864 in Lichtental, Bessarabia, South Russia. . He married Christianna Zacher on April 24th, 1890 in Lichtental. They emigrated from Russia in May 1894 through the New York Port. Wilhelm was naturalized on June 12th, 1894 in Emmons County, North Dakota. Together, Wilhem and Christianna had seven children: Johannes, Malvina, Katharena, Herman, Bertha, Elizabeth and William, all of who were born in the United States. Wilhelm died on June 25th, 1927 and Christianna died on April 22nd, 1950.