Ruth O. Wardle

Madison - Ruth O. Wardle, age 93, passed away on Monday, April 5, 2010, at Meriter Hospital. She was born Aug. 2, 1916, in Altoona to Clarence and Kathryn (Krause) Thompson, the eldest of seven children. She attended nurses training at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire and graduated in 1937. Ruth moved to Madison to pursue her career as a registered nurse at Madison General Hospital (now Meriter Hospital). Ruth then worked 20 years as an RN at the Dane County Home in Verona. She was survived by her loving husband, Harry W. Wardle, whom she married on Sept. 21, 1941; and is survived by her three children, Tom (Ann) of Fort Collins, Colo., John (Pauline) of South Beloit, Ill., and Janet Merlo of Madison. Ruth is also survived by five grandchildren, Amy (Rick) Merlo-Neitzel, Andy (Tabitha) Wardle, Kari (Bobby) Fairchild, Greg (Mary) Wardle and Erik (Christine) Wardle; and three great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Tyler and Caleb. Ruth is also survived by her brother, William (Delores) Thompson and Doris (Ronald) Rulien both of Eau Claire; as well as many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 8, 2010, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. There will be a service to follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be held at the Forest Hill Cemetery on Speedway Road. She will be remembered by her cheerful nature, her love of cooking, animals, flowers and gardening. ""We will miss them always and hold them forever in our hearts.""