1951
Ruth
2017
Ruth Harnish
June 9, 1951 — November 23, 2017
Ruth Fern Harnish, age 90, of Eureka, Illinois passed away peacefully around 7:30 a.m., November 23, 2017, Thanksgiving Day.
She was born April 16, 1927, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, to Perry and Annie (Wenger) Martin. She married Robert Harnish on June 9, 1951, in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
She is survived by her husband and five children, Robert (Carol) Brunk Harnish, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Suzanne (Joe) Gerber, of Rio Rico, Arizona; Mary (Nick) Rush, of Afton, Virginia; Rick (Annette) Harnish, of Flanagan, Illinois; and Stephen (Monica) Harnish of Bluffton, Ohio; eleven grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and two great-grandsons; two sisters, Virginia Derstine and Margaret (John) Weaver; and one brother, John Martin; all three from Harrisonburg, Virginia.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Mary, and four brothers, Robert, Weldon, Sanford and Ralph.
Ruth attended Goshen College in 1947 and graduated from La Junta Mennonite School of Nursing and became a registered nurse in 1951. After marriage she served along with her husband the next 22 years in ministering at Highway Village Mennonite Church in East Peoria, Illinois. Her life was busy working in the church, the community and home. She was a homemaker, raised her children, and helped in the church as a pastor's wife. Later she worked as a nurse at Good Samaritan Home in Flanagan and Maple Lawn Homes in Eureka and then as a chaplain at Maple Lawn Homes.
Ruth loved sewing, the garden and raising flowers, especially roses. She had a passion for studying family genealogy and gathering family stories. There was a special place in her heart for children. Even late into life as memory faded, she would light up with a big smile and bright eyes on seeing a baby or young child.
Throughout her life Ruth strove to be, in her own words, a "kind and loving person." Even when she could no longer communicate verbally she would communicate with her smile. People often then said, "Ruth, you made my day." She trusted and loved Jesus, and was grateful for His immeasurable love and grace and for her privilege of helping to make Him known.
Special thanks to the many who cared for Ruth over the years - home helpers, and health care givers from Maple Lawn Nursing Home, Select Care, and UnityPoint Hospice.
Ruth was a member of the Roanoke Mennonite Church where services to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 11 a.m. Pastors Bryan Miller and Alice Kennell will officiate. Visitation will be on Friday evening December 15, 4-6 p.m. and also an hour prior to the Saturday service. There will be a family graveside service at 9 a.m. on the 16th.
Memorials may be made to Roanoke Mennonite Church or Mennonite Central Committee in her memory and online condolences can be sent by visiting www.argoruestmanharris.com
1195 County Road 1600 East
Eureka, IL
1195 County Road 1600 East
Eureka, IL
1195 County Road 1600 East
Eureka, IL
She was born April 16, 1927, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, to Perry and Annie (Wenger) Martin. She married Robert Harnish on June 9, 1951, in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
She is survived by her husband and five children, Robert (Carol) Brunk Harnish, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Suzanne (Joe) Gerber, of Rio Rico, Arizona; Mary (Nick) Rush, of Afton, Virginia; Rick (Annette) Harnish, of Flanagan, Illinois; and Stephen (Monica) Harnish of Bluffton, Ohio; eleven grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and two great-grandsons; two sisters, Virginia Derstine and Margaret (John) Weaver; and one brother, John Martin; all three from Harrisonburg, Virginia.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Mary, and four brothers, Robert, Weldon, Sanford and Ralph.
Ruth attended Goshen College in 1947 and graduated from La Junta Mennonite School of Nursing and became a registered nurse in 1951. After marriage she served along with her husband the next 22 years in ministering at Highway Village Mennonite Church in East Peoria, Illinois. Her life was busy working in the church, the community and home. She was a homemaker, raised her children, and helped in the church as a pastor's wife. Later she worked as a nurse at Good Samaritan Home in Flanagan and Maple Lawn Homes in Eureka and then as a chaplain at Maple Lawn Homes.
Ruth loved sewing, the garden and raising flowers, especially roses. She had a passion for studying family genealogy and gathering family stories. There was a special place in her heart for children. Even late into life as memory faded, she would light up with a big smile and bright eyes on seeing a baby or young child.
Throughout her life Ruth strove to be, in her own words, a "kind and loving person." Even when she could no longer communicate verbally she would communicate with her smile. People often then said, "Ruth, you made my day." She trusted and loved Jesus, and was grateful for His immeasurable love and grace and for her privilege of helping to make Him known.
Special thanks to the many who cared for Ruth over the years - home helpers, and health care givers from Maple Lawn Nursing Home, Select Care, and UnityPoint Hospice.
Ruth was a member of the Roanoke Mennonite Church where services to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 11 a.m. Pastors Bryan Miller and Alice Kennell will officiate. Visitation will be on Friday evening December 15, 4-6 p.m. and also an hour prior to the Saturday service. There will be a family graveside service at 9 a.m. on the 16th.
Memorials may be made to Roanoke Mennonite Church or Mennonite Central Committee in her memory and online condolences can be sent by visiting www.argoruestmanharris.com
Visitation
DEC 15. 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (CST)
Roanoke Mennonite Church1195 County Road 1600 East
Eureka, IL
Visitation
DEC 16. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CST)
Roanoke Mennonite Church1195 County Road 1600 East
Eureka, IL
Memorial Service
DEC 16. 11:00 AM (CST)
Roanoke Mennonite Church1195 County Road 1600 East
Eureka, IL
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth F. Harnish, please visit our floral store.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth Harnish, please visit our flower store.
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