Ferrin - Ruth Marie Onken, 81, was taken home to rest in the arms of Jesus on April 29, 2025.

Ruth was born in Slayton, Minnesota on August 28, 1943 to Edison Frederick and Stella Bernice Onken. She was baptized September 12, 1943 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton, Minnesota.

Ruth's family later moved to Strasburg, Illinois where she was confirmed and graduated from St. Paul's Lutheran grade school in 1957 and graduated from Stewardson-Strasburg High School in 1961. She then obtained her nursing degrees in St. Louis, Missouri at Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing and St. Louis University. She spent many years of her nursing career as an operating room nurse at those two hospitals. She was an active member of AORN for many years.

Ruth loved to travel, enjoyed music and playing piano, but spending time with her family and friends was always most important to her.

God blessed Ruth's life with many special people who loved her. Surviving family members include 4 siblings and their spouses: John (Dolores) Onken, Mark (Lynette) Onken, Luke Onken; one sister, Lois (Jeff) Pigg and one sister-in-law, Betty Onken; nieces and nephews and their spouses: Michelle (Larry ) Clark, Nicole (John) Castle, Peter (Candace) Onken, Kristin (Yovani) Melesio, Suzie Onken, Ben Onken, Tim (Emily) Onken, Steve (Lynn Ann) Pigg, Angie (Scott) Ballah, Jessica (Mike) Hilmes and the many children and grandchildren of her siblings. She is also survived by very special, long-time friends Sharon Kopp and her husband, Gale Martin.

Preceding her in death were: parents, Ed and Bernice Onken; grandparents, Herman and Katherine Onken, Jesse and Marie Paulus; siblings, Ken Onken, Leslie (and Birdie) Onken, Gerald (and Judy) Onken, Doris (and Dewey) Green.

Ruth loved to help and care for others. She enjoyed helping her parents, siblings and other family members and friends. She became a nurse and cared for others throughout her career. And finally, by donating her body to St. Louis University School of Medicine, she hoped to help future medial students.

A memorial service will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ferrin, Illinois on May 24, 2025 beginning at 11:30 with visitation from 10:30 to 11:30 prior to the service. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Ruth are suggested to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School and will be received at the service.