Ruth Warneke

OBITUARY Ruth Marie Warneke was born on September 27, 1924, the daughter of Reverend Herman and Marie (Kallsen) Laabs in Aniwa, WI. She was baptized on October 12, 1924 at Zion Lutheran Church in Aniwa and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mayville, WI on June 5, 1938. She attended parochial Lutheran School and High School in Mayville, WI. Her father, Reverend Herman Laabs, united her in marriage to her beloved husband Reverend Anton Warneke on July 25, 1943 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mayville, WI. This union was blessed with four daughters and one son. They celebrated 60 years together in 2003. Ruth had an interest in photography. She loved to take pictures and also organized them into photo albums. She also had a beautiful voice and sang in church choirs and for weddings and funerals. The most important parts of Ruth's life were her faith, husband, and family. She was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother who lived the life of a pastor's wife with love and grace. Ruth had always said "God blessed me with a wonderful husband and children". Ruth M. Warneke died on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at Knute Nelson in Alexandria at the age of 88 years old. She is survived by her daughters Patricia McMahon of Reading, PA; Catherine (Gary) Kirckof of Villard, MN; Linda (John) Frederick of Northfield, MN; and Brenda (Jerry) Gruwell of Dawson, MN; son David (Nancy) Warneke of Princeton, MN; 13 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren; brothers Waldo (Lois) Laabs of Lady Lake, FL; Norbert (Lou) Laabs of Lady Lake, FL; Arnold (Florence) Laabs of Lady Lake, FL; and Herman (Virginia) Laabs of Mesa, AZ; sister Norma Jahnke of Parkers Prairie, MN; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Reverend Anton Warneke; infant daughter Ann Marie Warneke; grandson Craig Kirckof; parents; sisters Doris Sternberg and Irma Brandenstein; brothers Reverend Ernst Laabs, Reverend Paul Laabs, and Armin Laabs. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria with the Reverend David Hinz officiating. Irma Brockberg was the organist and Dan Olson was the soloist. Interment was in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Villard, MN. Pall Bearers were her Grandchildren, Christina McMahon, Todd Kirckof, Amber Welsh, Christina Oberg, Nicholas Gruwell, Michael Frederick, Anne-Marie McMahon, Rebecca McMahon, Kimberly Siegersma, Brian Kirckof, Nicole Urbowicz, Rachel Ruud, and Matthew Gruwell. Honorary Pall Bearers were all of Ruth's Great Grandchildren. The family has requested memorials to go to Zion Lutheran School Tuition Fund. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net