WEISBECKER, Ruth Verona

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Tuesday, April 29, 2003 Ruth Verona Johnson Weisbecker passed away April 28, 2003 into the hands of God and the heavenly company of family and friends who had passed before her, especially beloved son, Michael. Ruthie was born in Erwin, SD on September 12, 1922 the ninth child of 10 children to Ole and Irene Johnson. Ruth graduated from Estelline High School and attended the South Dakota Beauty Academy. She worked for a short time as a beautician before beginning work at the Telephone Company in Sioux Falls, SD, as a Service Assistant. While working there she met and married the love of her life, Joe Weisbecker with whom she shared the next 56 years of life. Together they built a beautiful life as the parents of 7 children and 15 grandchildren. Ruth and Joe moved to Sun City in 1983. She enjoyed meeting people and was a true and loyal friend. Ruth loved to dance from early married years, enjoying ballroom dancing with her sweetheart. Joe. Until her illness overtook her, she was a member of the Sun City Tip Top Dance Club and performed regularly. Ruth was privileged to serve the Lord as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at her parish, St. Clement of Rome. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters. Ruth was most of all a beautiful wife, mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by son Michael and daughter Jo Ann. Her husband Joe who loved her dearly, survives Ruth as do children Kathy and Tom Staebell, Mary Retka, Joe and Rachel Weisbecker, Tom and Kristi Weisbecker, Annette and Steve Nichols and Ginny and Joe Noel and 15 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Visitation will be 4-6 P.M. with Rosary 5:30 P.M. Wednesday, April 30, 2003 at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Ave. Funeral mass will be 10:00 A.M., Thursday, May 1, 2003 at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church, 15800 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ. A memorial mass will be held at St. Mary's Church in Sioux Falls, SD at a later date. Contributions may be directed in Ruth's name to Sun Health Hospice who provided Ruth and her family with tender care during her illness. Courtesy of Pat Wilson.