Ingrid Olson Ruoff

Alice Ingrid Olson Ruoff, Ingrid, passed away on February 27, 2026, at the age of 92 after living a long and rich life. Her loving children, Carol, Karl and Richard will miss her tremendously. She was predeceased by her husband, Edmund R. Ruoff in 2008 after 55 years of marriage and by daughter-in-law Claudia Ruoff who passed in February 2020. Ingrid was also preceded in death by her two brothers, Charles Olson and Gustaf (Gus) Olson. She is survived by daughter Carol Perrington, sons Karl and Richard Ruoff, son-in-law Dave Perrington, and daughter-in-law Kathy Ruoff. She had grandchildren Aubrey, Rachel, Alexander, Pierce, Brandon, Jason Skidis; great-granddaughters Sydney and Zoe; and great-grandsons Parker and Paxton.

Ingrid was born in Altoona, PA, in 1933 to Charles and Alice Olson and raised in Philadelphia, PA where she won 2nd place in a statewide swim competition as a youth and was recognized for her art. Always a city girl at heart, she moved with her husband Ed to Lancaster, PA, where she plunged into volunteer work: Cub Scout leader, Trinity Lutheran Church youth group leader, theater set designer, the Green Circle Program televised on WGAL, Television producer at WITF, League of Women Voters, and political activism, culminating in her becoming a Democratic City Council member in Lancaster City. Ingrid and her husband Ed

Ed Ruoff's obituary

operated as a team and were well known in the Lancaster area for their participation in local affairs and especially with developing housing for low-income and elderly citizens.

Ingrid worked for Suburban Cable in Lancaster, attended Temple University and Millersville as a communications major and later attended The New School in NYC for television production. She produced a children’s TV show and went on to produce shows for WITF TV. She built cabinets, created artistic paintings and sculptures, designed sets for stage plays, co-managed Hullabaloo teen nightclub, and worked with Richard at Chameleon Club where she managed the Lizard Lounge Cafe. Ingrid was an artist who encouraged her daughter to pursue art and inspired her grandchildren in their creative pursuits. At Luther Acres in Lititz, Ed and she moved into a cottage, where she continued to paint and volunteer by operating video equipment, delivering mail, and assisting people in the nursing care units. Ingrid loved to dance and enjoyed the mountains. She was proud of each of her children supporting them in whatever endeavors they pursued. She was loved by many others and will long be remembered for her smile, quirky style and wit, and nonjudgmental support.

A Celebration of Life for Ingrid is currently scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, May 7th, 2026 in the Christianson Room on the 2nd floor of Muhlenberg Hall at 400 St. Mark Ave, Luther Acres in Lititz, PA. Details may change slightly so please watch this page for final details.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following charitable organizations: Luthercare Benevolent Fund

Luthercare Benevolent Fund

or

Southern Poverty Law Center

Southern Poverty Law Center