Austin, October 13, 2025
News Summary
The Austin community is grieving the loss of Ruth Louise Borens Martin, a cherished educator who impacted many lives over her 32-year teaching career. Ruth, 64, passed away recently, and a funeral Mass will be held to honor her contributions to education and her unwavering dedication to her students. Throughout her life, she demonstrated her commitment to making a difference, both in the classroom and within her community. Ruth’s family requests donations of school supplies in her memory.
Austin, TX – Ruth Louise Borens Martin, a dedicated educator and beloved member of the Austin community, passed away on October 7, 2025, at the age of 64. A funeral Mass honoring her life will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 10 AM at St. Paul Catholic Church, located at 10000 Robert Moore Drive in Austin.
Born on July 11, 1961, in Hewitt, WI, Ruth was the fifth of seven children of John Richard and Louise Ann Borens. Her family moved throughout Wisconsin before finally settling in Texas, first briefly in Waco and then permanently in Longview, TX. Ruth attended Catholic schools through the eighth grade before continuing her education at Pine Tree Jr. High and High School in Longview. She was an accomplished student, graduating as Class Salutatorian and excelling in basketball, where she was named an All-District player.
Following high school, Ruth pursued higher education, obtaining an Associate degree at Kilgore Jr. College in one and a half years. She then transferred to Texas A&M University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction in May 1983. While at Texas A&M, she met Kenneth Wayne Martin, whom she married on November 26, 1983.
After spending a year in College Station, the couple moved to Austin and raised three children: Sarah, Kyle, and Marissa. Ruth began her teaching career in the Bryan, TX school district, specializing in Driver’s Education. She then transitioned to teaching fourth and sixth grades at Hillcrest Elementary and Smith Elementary in the Del Valle school system. Throughout her tenure, Ruth served as the Grade Level Leader at Smith Elementary, where she organized exciting student campouts and lock-ins. Her outstanding contributions were recognized when she received the title of Smith Elementary Teacher of the Year for the 2007-2008 school year.
Ruth was known for her unwavering dedication to her students, often using her own funds to provide school supplies for less fortunate children. She retired from her teaching career in 2015 after 32 years of service, leaving behind a lasting impact on countless students and colleagues. In addition to her passion for education, Ruth actively participated in her Catholic Church as a Eucharistic Minister and made significant contributions to her community.
Ruth is survived by her three children, Sarah (Oscar III) Garza, Kyle (Holly) Martin, and Marissa (Fatih) Güngör, along with five grandchildren: Oscar IV, Anthony Jared (AJ) Garza, McKinnley and Kallie Martin, and Esma Güngör. She also leaves behind six siblings and their families, many of whom reside in Wisconsin and Texas. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and a brother-in-law.
In lieu of flowers, Ruth’s family requests donations of school supplies in her memory to an elementary school of choice. Arrangements for the funeral service are being handled by Cook-Walden Forest Oaks Funeral Home of Austin.
FAQ
What date will the funeral Mass for Ruth Louise Borens Martin take place?
The funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 10 AM.
Where is the funeral service located?
The service will take place at St. Paul Catholic Church, located at 10000 Robert Moore Drive in Austin.
What was Ruth’s profession?
Ruth was a dedicated educator who taught in the Bryan, TX school district, as well as at Hillcrest Elementary and Smith Elementary in Austin.
How many children did Ruth have?
Ruth is survived by three children: Sarah, Kyle, and Marissa.
What requests did Ruth’s family make regarding memorials?
Instead of flowers, Ruth’s family requests donations of school supplies in her memory to an elementary school of choice.
Key Features of Ruth Louise Borens Martin’s Life
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ruth Louise Borens Martin |
| Date of Birth | July 11, 1961 |
| Date of Passing | October 7, 2025 |
| Funeral Date | October 16, 2025 |
| Major Achievement | Smith Elementary Teacher of the Year (2007-2008) |
| Number of Children | Three |
| Number of Grandchildren | Five |
| Years of Teaching Service | 32 years |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Historic $150 Million Donation to Huston-Tillotson University
Community Mourns the Loss of Educator and Advocate
Beloved Music Educator and Double Bassist Passes Away
Celebrated Music Educator Jessica Gilliam-Valls Passes Away
Southgate Elementary School Wins School of Excellence Award
St. George’s Episcopal School Celebrates Nearly 60 Years of Education
Austin Community Remembers Angeline Doris Young
Texas A&M University-San Antonio Launches Doctoral Program
Respected Nursing Educator Dr. Donna G. Rolin Passes Away
Killeen Community Remembers Annette Lucksinger
Additional Resources
- Dignity Memorial: Ruth Martin Obituary
- Legacy: Patsy Martin Obituary
- Restland Funeral Home: Emma Martin Obituary
- Davis Enterprise: Ruth Martin Obituary
- Bates Cooper Sloan Funeral Home: Charles Martin Obituary
- Wikipedia: Ruth Martin
- Google Search: Ruth Martin Austin
- Google Scholar: Ruth Martin education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ruth Martin
- Google News: Ruth Martin
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
