Ruth Wankel

Ruth Caroline Vette Wankel, 79, peacefully passed away on Monday, August 6, 2012, in Fort Collins, Colorado after a long bout with cancer. She was born July 5, 1933 in Beardstown, Illinois to William and Clara Caroline Boensel Vette. She grew up and attended school in Beardstown. Ruth married Donald Wankel at Beardstown in 1951. Before moving to Fort Collins in 1963, the couple farmed near Beardstown. She was mom, grandmother, great-grandmother and homemaker her entire adult life. Ruth and Don raised their children in the house on Green Street, where they lived for 50 years. Ruth kept an immaculate home, decorated for every imaginable occasion, served wonderful meals to family and friends, and made sure everyone was well cared for. Never was a meal served without homemade dessert. Spare minutes never existed in her day as there was always a letter to write, cookies to bake, meals to prepare, or socks to darn. Seeing Ruth sitting down was a rare-sight to behold. And she absolutely loved to shop for the best deal in town, be it for groceries, clothes, or trinkets to decorate the house. She was a volunteer at Poudre Valley Hospital for 27 years and was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church for nearly 50 years. The family would especially like to thank the PVH Radiology personnel for their kindness and care and for the unbounded love of Green Street neighbors and friends at St. John's Church. Survivors include husband Donald of 61 years, and sister Erma Ruppel of Beardstown, Illinois. She leaves a son Douglas (Sylvia) Wankel of Aurora, Colorado; grandchildren Keith Wankel of Aurora, Colorado, Nikki (Mike) Martin of Brighton, Colorado, Erin Frey (Kader) Barry, of Hayward, California; and great-granddaughter Lydia Jane Martin. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Janet (Wendell) Frey of Fort Collins, her sister Alice (Bill) Sweatman of Virginia, Illinois, and brothers Floyd Vette of Bluff Springs, Illinois and Clifford (Mary) Vette of Chandlerville, Illinois. A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 10th, 2012, 10:00a.m., at St. John's Lutheran Church, 305 East Elizabeth in Fort Collins. Memorial contributions can be made to Pathways Hospice at 305 Carpenter Road, Fort Collins,80525 or St. John's Lutheran Church at 305 East Elizabeth, Fort Collins, 80524.