Ruth Anne Wankel

Ruth Anne Wankel,90 of Springfield, died Monday, December 4, 2023 at Cedarhurst in Jacksonville.

She was born June 28, 1933 in Bluff Springs, the son of Robert Arthur and Mary Katherine Wagner Korte. She married Leo Wankel on July 14, 1951 and he preceded he in death on August 29, 2005.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews Thomas (wife Cathy) Flowers, Marcie (husband Don) Herter, Traci Bierhaus all of Beardstown, Doug (wife Sylvia) Wankel of Colorado, Karen ( husband Bill) Hamilton of Hillsboro and Sandi ( husband Jim) Richardson of Ann Arbor, MI; her great nieces and nephews Sam Flowers, Sarah Jibben, Chris Herter and Doug Herter, Lauren Knous, Mark and Joe Baumhardt; and her great-great niece Milania Herter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three sisters, Elizabeth Flowers, Doris K. Stock, and Marjorie Bierhaus, two nieces Rhonda Baumhardt and Janet Wankel, and two brothers-in-law Edwin Stock and Charles Flowers, and three beloved fur friends, Teddy, Max an Annabelle.

Mrs. Wankel graduated from Beardstown High School with the class of 1951. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Springfield. She worked for the Illinois Department of Revenue, retiring in 1991 after a lifelong career. Ruth was fashionable, hardworking, classy, and proud of what she had accomplished in life. She loved her husband and they cherished many years together. Together they enjoyed traveling, visiting friends and relative and spent their winters in Southern Texas. In her spare time, she delighted in gardening, significantly growing roses. Family was the most important part of Ruth Ann's life, and she cherished hosting family gatherings. She enjoyed baking her famous cakes and sharing them with others. Her life wa well lived and will forever be remembered by those who loved her most.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, December 8, 2023, at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown. Burial will be in Beardstown City Cemetery. The family will meet with friends one hour before services on Friday at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown.

Memorials have been suggested to Benld Animal Shelter or Ron & Vicki Santo Diabetic Alert Dog Foundation. Colwell Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements.