Ruth Arline Wang passed peacefully from this world on August 17, 2019. She is survived by daughters Karen (Roger Hansen), Mary (Joseph Drazek), son David and grandchildren Dr. Danielle Wang, Bryce Wang, Karen Drazek & Megan Drazek. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene (Gene) Wang, son Robert and infant grandson, Christopher. Ruth was born to Karen Marie Johnson and
Olaf K. Bakke on October 19,1919 in Halstad, MN. Ruth attended Halstad High School where she met her future husband of sixty-six years, Gene Wang. Ruth and Gene were two of the eleven members of the graduating class of 1937. Ruth went on to attend Concordia College where she graduated in 1941. She taught English and mathematics for five years at junior high schools in Villard and Montevideo, MN.
Ruth married Gene on May 5,1945 at the Halstad Lutheran Church. After a brief honeymoon, Gene returned to his Naval duties and Ruth returned to her teaching position in Montevideo. After the war, Ruth
and Gene moved to Minneapolis where Gene took a job with Honeywell. Ruth became a full time mother and homemaker with the birth of their daughter, Karen. The births of David, Mary and Robert completed their family.
Ruth and Gene enjoyed many good times with their Honeywell gang playing bridge, going on fishing trips, golf outings, football and baseball games and going out for dinner and dancing. They reluctantly left their gang behind when in 1971 Gene was transferred to the Honeywell Computer Operations in Phoenix, AZ. Ruth, an avid Twins, Vikings and Gophers fan soon cheered on the Suns, Sun Devils and Diamondbacks with equal fervor. Ruth’s passion for teaching led her to volunteer for 30 years at the Glendale Family Development Center and for 11 years at Volunteer Interfaith Caregiver Program (VICAP). She relished her time with children and upon receipt of the JC Penney Golden Rule Award for volunteering was quick to note that she had received so much more from the children than she had given in her 30 years of service. Ruth will be remembered as a great mother and grandmother, a dear and supportive friend and a good neighbor. She excelled at wit, words and wisdom. Her skills at bridge, cribbage, crosswords and
Scrabble were daunting. Ruth and Gene were parishioners at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Glendale, AZ for over 40 years. Ruth would often comment on how blessed she was to benefit from the love, learning and fellowship of her St. John’s family.
A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church on November 9, 2019 at 11AM. 7205 N 51st Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to St. John’s Lutheran Church Glendale, AZ or the charity of your choice.
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