WILKENING, Ruth Viola

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 - Ruth Viola Linder Wilkening passed away May 10, 2013 in Scottsdale at the age of 81. Ruth was born in Jefferson, Wis. to Jay and Gertrude Linder and she had one younger sister, Shirley Bayard who predeceased her in 2007. Ruth graduated from Jefferson High School where she was homecoming queen of her graduating class in 1950. She attended college at Columbia University, Milwaukee, Wis., where she earned her degree as a registered nurse. Ruth was proud of her career and service as a nurse, was a natural caregiver, loved people and always had a warm smile that endeared her to everyone. After graduation, as she began her career at Columbia Hospital in Milwaukee, Walter D. Wilkening, a young college student was admitted for an appendectomy. They caught each other’s eye. After his return from service in Korea, eloping in 1954, the two were inseparable for the next 46 years, until Walter’s passing in 2000. Their marriage and love only grew stronger with each year. They brought up their family in Libertyville, Ill., where Walter’s career as a computer programmer/manager led him into consulting, while Ruth devoted herself to home and children, with family and faith being the foundation of their lives and principles. Ruth is survived by five children, Sondra Wilkening, of Arizona, David (Angie) Wilkening, of Montana, Diana (Robert) Nikolai, of Wisconsin, Suzanne Wilkening, of Arizona and Richard (Shelia) Wilkening, of Illinois; eight grandchildren, Sam, Jacob, Jessica, Jake, Dana, Ryan, Jason, Ethan and one great-grandson, Wrigley. A private Memorial Service for family only will take place May 25 in Lake Havasu at Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints and Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to Ruth’s family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.