Ruth Warneke, 88

Ruth Marie Warneke, 88, died Saturday, January 5, 2013 at Knute Nelson in Alexandria.

Ruth was born September 27, 1924, the daughter of the Rev. 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.

Her father, the Rev. Herman Laabs, united her in marriage to her beloved husband, the Rev. Anton Warneke on July 25, 1943 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mayville. 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."

She is survived by her daughters, Patricia McMahon of Reading, PA, Catherine (Gary) Kirckof of Villard, Linda (John) Frederick of Northfield, and Brenda (Jerry) Gruwell of Dawson; son, David (Nancy) Warneke of Princeton; 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; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Anton Warneke; infant daughter, Ann Marie Warneke; grandson, Craig Kirckof; parents; sisters, Doris Sternberg and Irma Brandenstein; and brothers, the Rev. Ernst Laabs, the Rev. Paul Laabs and Armin Laabs.

A funeral service was held Wednesday, January 9 at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria with the Rev. David Hinz officiating. Irma Brockberg was organist and Dan Olson was soloist. Interment was at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Villard. 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 go to Zion Lutheran School Tuition Fund.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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