Ruth Eileen Wendling

Rochelle , IL/Madison- Ruth Eileen Wendling went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison. She was the daughter of Obed E. and Mabel (Skogen) Larson. Ruth was born February 16, 1931 in McFarland, WI. She married John Wendling on March 25, 1951, in McFarland. Ruth was a homemaker who dearly loved her children and especially her four grandchildren. She graduated from Madison East High School and attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa for two years. Ruth was very active in her church. She was a Sunday school teacher, confirmation instructor, Luther League advisor, guest speaker at numerous women's conferences, volunteer at Harmony House, served in the church kitchen and had many other church duties. Ruth loved serving the Lord. Upon John's retirement they bought a home on Ruth's beloved Lake Waubesa where they lived for 19 years. Ruth is survived by her husband, John, of 58 years; two children, Jeff (Brenda) Wendling of Rochelle and Janine (David) Turner of Richmond, VA; grandchildren, John L. Wendling and Hannah Wendling of Rochelle, Amira Turner of Richmond, VA and Safra (Idan) Turner-Granot of Isreal; and two sisters, Lois Heilman of Tuscon, AZ and Corinne Howarth of Vancouver, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents; and sisters, Geraldine Larson and Eleanore Nelson. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th Street, Rochelle, IL. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 22, 2009 at McFarland Lutheran Church, 5529 Marsh Road, McFarland, with the Rev. Jeffrey M. Tomberlin officiating. Burial will follow in Upper McFarland Cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 10:00 AM until the time of services on Friday at church. Memorials may be made to McFarland Lutheran Church or to Faith Lutheran Church, 14206 E. Flagg Road, Rochelle, IL, 61068.