Renate Hotrich Ruland, known as Ronnie, 74, passed away peacefully Aug. 3, 2025, with her children by her side. A fierce warrior, she valiantly fought pancreatic cancer for the last year, vowing to be there to see her children’s and grandchildren’s important milestones.
She was known as “Momma Ru” or “Nana Ru” to all who loved her.
Born in Görlitz, Germany, she immigrated to Brooklyn, New York, with her parents in 1955. Ronnie spent her early adulthood in Middletown, where she and her first husband settled and raised their children, forming strong bonds with friends who became family.
For over 30 years, she worked as a medical administrator for Drs. Harry and Stephen Swartz.
In 2001, she met her current husband; they relocated to Forked River in 2002, where she enjoyed a semi-retired life filled with establishing friendships and traveling. Her favorite places to travel included annual visits to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and anywhere she could find a lighthouse and sand.
She was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Anna, her first husband, Gary Ruland, and her sister, Crystal Hotrich Hermann.
She is survived by her children, Kristina McKinley (Marc) and Daniel Ruland (Jennifer), her grandchildren, Matthew and Andrew McKinley, and Kevin, Karlie and Cody Ruland. She is also survived by her husband, James Kwiatkowski, his daughters, Melissa Maloy (Ryan), Heather Talbot (Mark), and their children, Taylor and Alexandra Maloy, and Mia Talbot.
A memorial service for family and close friends will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 30 at Christ Episcopal Church, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to Christ Episcopal Church, Middletown, at christchurchmiddletown.org. It is where her children and grandchildren were baptized and her children were married.
The article originally appeared in the August 7 – 13, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
