ARENS, Ruth Anne

Ruth Anne Arens died on April 5, 2004 at the age of 81. Ruth was born August 10, 1922 in Graceville, Minnesota. She was the 3rd child of 11 children and learned early about sharing her love, caring for others, and having a strong work ethic while growing up on the family farm. During her last two years of high school, she did light housekeeping for a family in Wheaton, Minnesota in exchange for room and board during the school year. She graduated from a business college in Minneapolis, Minnesota and worked in the Twin Cities as a bookkeeper for a few years. When Ruth attended her oldest sisters wedding In New York City, New York, she decided to stay there and lived with another sister in Staten Island. She worked there as a "traveling librarian" and went to all of the elementary schools in Staten Island. In 1963 she moved to Phoenix to live with and take care of her parents and helped them until they died. She also held full time jobs working at Hall Craft taking care of property rentals, Maricopa County as a bookkeeper, and finally retiring in 1987 from Mitchell Electric. Ruth was very active with St. Anne's Guild (Christ Child) Sewing Club, which sewed baby layettes for unwed mothers, and also belonged to Senior Angels of St. Francis Xavier. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her friends and family. Ruth also loved to read and cut out articles to pass on to others. We all enjoyed her interesting letters and notes that were never done on fancy stationery, but just scraps of paper as she thought of them during the day. Ruth always had time for her many friends and family and was a kind, giving, and gentle person. She will be sadly missed by all the many people she has touched during her lifetime. Ruth is survived by sisters, Vernie Maguire, Joann Sheehan, Margie Zych, Rita Ladiana, Jean Ladiana, Jane Arens, and Nancy Murphy; and one brother, Tony Arens. Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Ave., on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 with Rosary and Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Chrysalis Shelter at 602-955-9059 or St. Vincent De Paul Society, 420 W. Watkins Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Published in the Arizona Republic on 4/11/2004.