Racine – Ruth Dorothy (nee: Jensen) Criplean-Ahrendt, age 94, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at Hospice Alliance – Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie.
Ruth was born in Racine on February 16, 1919 to the late John and Mayme (nee: Anderson) Jensen. A graduate of Washington Park High School, she went on to earn her degree from Moore’s Business College.
She resided in Racine until 1940 when she married Frank Criplean on January 20, 1940 and moved to Ives Grove. Frank died on October 7, 1967. On May 22, 1971, Ruth married Arthur W. Ahrendt, who died on April 19, 2000. Ruth lived in Kenosha from 1970-1985; Lakeland, FL from 1985-1999; back in Kenosha from 1999 until moving to Sturtevant in 2010. She worked as the assistant manager of Highland’s Restaurant, Hwy 41 & 20; Racine County Farm Bureau; Internal Revenue Service; and, finally, at First National Bank of Kenosha for 21 years, retiring in 1979 as Vice-President and Trust Officer.
Ruth was a member of Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenosha and Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lakeland, FL. She was the Past-President of Business & Professional Women’s Club of Kenosha and a member of Quota Club. Ruth was a devoted volunteer at Frieden’s Lutheran School and at Affiliated Pregnancy Counseling Center. Among her interests, she enjoyed crafts, bowling, golf, reading, and was an avid Green Bay Packer fan. Above all, she loved and cherished time spent with family and friends.
Surviving are her daughter, Kay (Robert) Carignan of Union Grove; step-daughter, Beth Rizzotto; step-son-in-law, Tim Larsen; grandchildren, Debra (Phillip) Keeku, Edward Criplean, Theresa (William) Andrews, Tammi (Vincent) Lakatos and Paula (Chris) Saunier; step-grandchildren, James (Tria) Braun, Janann Braun, Jodene (Tim) Strommen, Ryan (Joanna) Rizzotto and Jenny Rizzotto; 17 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Willard (Carol) Jensen; other dear relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents and husbands, Ruth was preceded in death by her son, David, in 1964; step-daughter, Bonnie Larsen; and grandchildren, Donald Criplean and Trudi Carignan.
A memorial service will be held at Friedens Ev. Lutheran Church (5038 – 19th Ave. in Kenosha) on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 3:00 pm. Visitation will be in Friedens Church on Saturday from 1:30 – 3:00 pm. Private interment will take place in West Lawn Memorial Park. In memory of Ruth, memorials to Friedens Lutheran Church or Hospice Alliance have been suggested.
“There comes a time when everyone of us must leave this earth and enter our Heavenly Home. I have had a full life……some periods of sadness outweighed by many more beautiful memories.”
– Ruth in 2011
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