Virginia was born in Joliet, Illinois on July 12, 1932 to Elwood and Dola Stevenson. By age 13 her father had left the family, leaving Dola alone to raise Virginia and her late brother Richard.
She graduated from Joliet High School in 1950 and enlisted in the United States Air Force where she met and married her late husband, Gayle. Their fist child, John, was born in 1952. Janice, Tom, Michael, Tim, Laura and Alan were born over the following 18 years.
Virginia’s strength was forged from her childhood and through her 50 year marriage to Gayle. She carried a heavy load bathing , feeding and nurturing their seven children through Gayle’s long hours of undercover narcotic work, along with frequent family relocations. When Gayle had to retire due to heart problems in 1980, Virginia, earned her associate degree in accounting. She then began her career as a bookkeeper until her retirement only 3 months before Gayle’s death.
Virginia enjoyed hobbies such as bowling, needlepoint and her time with “Red Hats”. She loved traveling and cruising with her cousins Barbara and Lorraine.
She was a devout Catholic and a founding member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church were she was a Eucharistic Minister, Lector and helped with kitchen clean up after funerals.
Virginia is preceded in death by her beloved husband Gayle Ruhl and son Thomas Ruhl. Those left to honor and cherish her memory are her seven children John Ruhl and wife Vicky, Janice Petsorin, Michael Ruhl, Timothy Ruhl, Laura Bruce and her husband Bill, Alan Ruhl and his wife Holli. She is also survived by six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Thank you all for caring for mom in death as in life.
A short mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, March 2, 2023at Family Funeral Care 4925 Summer Avenue Memphis, TN 38122. Visitation will be held prior to mass at 9:00 AM. Burial will he held in Richmond, Indiana at a later date.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FamilyFuneralMemphis.com for the Ruhl family.
