Ruth Mary Henkelman
June 29, 1952 — August 4, 2022
Ruth Henkelman, daughter of Francis and Mary Jane (Culotta) Henkelman was born June 29, 1952 in Harlan, Iowa. As a child, she attended catholic school in Defiance through the 10th grade before attending Harlan Community Schools graduating with the class of 1970. After graduation, Ruth attended St. Mary’s where she double majored in Music and double minored in English. While at St. Mary’s, she participated in many school activities including golf, tennis, softball and drama
Ruth later returned to Shelby County and worked for the phone company in Defiance. After a while there, she decided to move from Defiance to Harlan where she worked at Variety Distributors, CDS, and part time at Elm Crest for many years. She worked until October of 2021.
Some of Ruth’s favorite activities included watching baseball and shooting pool. She loved the Cubs, the Reds, and the Boston Red Sox. Ruth also loved watching movies. She especially loved Marilyn Monroe movies. Ruth loved to spend time with her dog Jenni.
Ruth is preceded in death by her parents Francis and Mary, her brothers Dan Henkelman and Francis C. Henkelman Jr. who passed away in infancy, Ann Henkelman Ortman (Dr. James V. Ortman), an infant nephew, and many aunts and uncles.
She is survived by her brother Clem Henkelman and fiancé Rebecca Trenhaille of Harlan, IA, her sister-in-law Barbara Evans Kelter Henkelman of Omaha, NE, nieces and nephews; Adam (Amanda and kids Gypsy and Odessa) Henkelman, Alicia Henkelman and daughter Alaesia; Heather (Jeremy) Bias and kids Dominic and Cadance of Rochester, MN, Julie Ortman Skelton (husband Ron and sons Tommy and Peter) of Parker, CO, Nicki Ortman Poulos (husband Nick and children Mike, Kirstin and Grayson) of Denver, CO. Chris Ortman (wife Tomoko) of Washington DC, Katie Ortman Doble (husband Nick and doghter Alice) of Denver, CO, Julie Kelter Koca (husband Todd and children Alex, Ben, Emily and Nick) of Leawood KS, and Megan Kelter Caul (husband Jason and children Thomas, Lily and Mia); Gina Kelter Galpin (Jessica, and children Delaney, Andrew and Olivia); Aunt's, Loretta (Joe) Henkelman Kennel of Earling, IA, Agnes Henkelman Menze of Moose Lake, MN; her beloved dog Jenni.
Ruth later returned to Shelby County and worked for the phone company in Defiance. After a while there, she decided to move from Defiance to Harlan where she worked at Variety Distributors, CDS, and part time at Elm Crest for many years. She worked until October of 2021.
Some of Ruth’s favorite activities included watching baseball and shooting pool. She loved the Cubs, the Reds, and the Boston Red Sox. Ruth also loved watching movies. She especially loved Marilyn Monroe movies. Ruth loved to spend time with her dog Jenni.
Ruth is preceded in death by her parents Francis and Mary, her brothers Dan Henkelman and Francis C. Henkelman Jr. who passed away in infancy, Ann Henkelman Ortman (Dr. James V. Ortman), an infant nephew, and many aunts and uncles.
She is survived by her brother Clem Henkelman and fiancé Rebecca Trenhaille of Harlan, IA, her sister-in-law Barbara Evans Kelter Henkelman of Omaha, NE, nieces and nephews; Adam (Amanda and kids Gypsy and Odessa) Henkelman, Alicia Henkelman and daughter Alaesia; Heather (Jeremy) Bias and kids Dominic and Cadance of Rochester, MN, Julie Ortman Skelton (husband Ron and sons Tommy and Peter) of Parker, CO, Nicki Ortman Poulos (husband Nick and children Mike, Kirstin and Grayson) of Denver, CO. Chris Ortman (wife Tomoko) of Washington DC, Katie Ortman Doble (husband Nick and doghter Alice) of Denver, CO, Julie Kelter Koca (husband Todd and children Alex, Ben, Emily and Nick) of Leawood KS, and Megan Kelter Caul (husband Jason and children Thomas, Lily and Mia); Gina Kelter Galpin (Jessica, and children Delaney, Andrew and Olivia); Aunt's, Loretta (Joe) Henkelman Kennel of Earling, IA, Agnes Henkelman Menze of Moose Lake, MN; her beloved dog Jenni.
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