Calling(s)

Wednesday, June 01, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM St. Michael Lutheran Church, 2131 Getz Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Service

Wednesday, June 01, 12:00 PM St. Michael Lutheran Church, 2131 Getz Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Obituary

Ruth Marie Wengert, 82, of Fort Wayne passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Sunday, May 29, 2016, at 12:10 p.m. in Renaissance Village, Fort Wayne.

Born in Saint Louis, Missouri on July 11, 1933, she was the daughter of Charles and Hulda (Koneffke) Hachmeister. She grew up a city girl, ranging from her Lafayette Square neighborhood on foot or by streetcar to experience the larger world around her. She would graduate from Lutheran High School and complete a degree at Saint John's College in Winfield, Kansas. Her first job as a teacher was at Mt. Calvary Lutheran School in Waynedale.

Along the way, she met a red-haired farm boy from Iowa. Their marriage took them back to Missouri, where their two daughters were born, before they returned to Fort Wayne to settle permanently. Their family grew once again with the birth of a son. Ruth settled into the job of raising their three children, managing a household budget on a parochial school teacher's salary, harvesting garden bounty, and staying actively involved in the church and school.

Children become grandchildren, and Ruth became a favorite grandma to seven and great-grandma to three more. Holidays were especially festive times with the extended family together for a shared meal, many pies, and an extra dessert of Scrabble, Euchre, and Yahtzee. She was known for a spotless house and neat yard, but she also enjoyed outings near and far. This spring she fulfilled a long-time wish to see the cherry blossoms in Washington and historical sights there and in Virginia.

Ruth was a devoted member of St. Michael Lutheran Church, its Altar Guild, and the J.O.Y. senior ministry.

Surviving are her husband, Dean; and daughters, Cynthia (Randy) Echelbarger of Greentown, and Kimberly (Larry) Stickell of Roanoke; son, Kevin (Bridget) Wengert of Kendallville; grandchildren, Lesley Echelbarger of Kokomo, Ann-Elise (Jake) Winker of Greentown, Caroline Stickell of Richmond, Virginia, Madeleine Stickell of Madison, Wisconsin, Hilary Stickell of Fort Wayne, Sophie Stickell of Chicago, and Mason Wengert of Auburn; and great grandchildren, Tyce, Elleri, and Nori.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a great-grandson, Silas Winkler.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at 12 p.m. in St. Michael Lutheran Church, 2131 Getz Road, Fort Wayne with Rev. Reed Lessing officiating. Burial will be in Concordia Gardens in Fort Wayne.

Calling is Wednesday, June 1, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the church.

Preferred memorials are to Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran School, 6318 West California Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46818 or to St. Michael Lutheran Church, 2131 Getz Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46804.

Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville is assisting the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com