Elsa M. (Hilzinger) Ruffinen

North Greenbush - Elsa M. Ruffinen, 93, died Monday, May 30, 2022, at her residence, after a long illness, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Brooklyn, she was daughter of the late Jakob Hilzinger and Elisabeth Staubitzer Hilzinger and wife of the late Robert J. Ruffinen. She resided in Brooklyn for 3 1/2 years before moving to Willstatt, Germany where she was raised and educated until she was 19 coming to the Troy area in 1948, residing with the Ferber family on Fifth Avenue. She moved to North Greenbush in 1951.  

Elsa was employed several years as a seamstress at Marvin-Neitzel in Troy and later worked with her husband as an assistant in the real estate and construction business developing Swiss Acres in North Greenbush.   

She was a life member of the Swiss Society, the Germania Hall Association and frequented the Albany German Club.  She enjoyed being a seamstress and doing clothing repair. Many years ago, she sang in the choir of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in Troy and was a 4H leader.    

Survivors include three daughters, Evelyn E. (William) Kohler, Wynantskill, Linda E. Billiel, Greenfield, MA and Donna M. Lott, North Greenbush; her grandchildren, Robert, David, Erik and Adam Kohler, Kerri Scheib, Jakob and Robert Ruffinen, Kristin Shaw, Tiana, Gabriella, Chaz and Elijah Lott and Mariah and Selena Lott; her great grandchildren, Dalton, Drake, Isla, Duke, Carson, Cade, Camden, Capri, Adeline, Magdalena and Rosalie Elsa Kohler, Bristol and Brody Scheib, Zeevah Andrews and Deviah Lott; a brother-in-law, Ronald (Florence) Ruffinen and several nieces and nephews and a cousin, Helene Rieger .  Also survived by a special friend, Hilda Steinman.  She was predeceased by her son, Ralph R. Ruffinen and her brother, Hans Hilzinger.

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc.  276 Pawling Avenue Troy on Friday, June 3, 2022  from 10 AM-12 Noon with a funeral service to follow at 12 Noon. 

Interment will be in Bloomingrove Rural Cemetery.

Kind omit flowers. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Elsa M. Ruffinen to the German-American Club of Albany, 32 Cherry St, Albany, NY 12205. 

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