Ruth Carolyn Ahonen
May 16th, 1943 - June 17th, 2023
Share Book of Memories with a Friend
Please enter the name and email details so that we can send your friend a link to the online tribute. No names or addresses will be collected by using this service.
Ruth's Obituary
Ruth C. Ahonen passed away on June 17th, 2023 peacefully at home due to complications of dementia and parkinsons disease. She was born on May 16th, 1943 in Hancock, MI and recently celebrated her 80th birthday with her family. She graduated from Chassell High School in 1961. Throughout her life she enjoyed traveling, camping, shopping, cooking, gardening, and decorating her home. She loved spending time with her children and 6 grandchildren. One June 23, 1962, she married David Ahonen. Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter and sister. She spent most of her life in Chassell, MI and loved the Copper Country. She has been residing with her daughter and son-in-law in St. Joseph, MI since 2019.
Ruth is survived by her husband David; daughters - Pamela (Thomas) Howe of Fenton, MI, Julie (James) Thomsen of St. Joseph, MI and son - Richard (Brigette) Ahonen of Palmetto, FL; grandchildren – Matthew (Cristina) Howe, Ashley and Melissa Howe, Dayton, Demi and Dylan Thomsen; great grandchild – Lainey Howe; sisters – Irene Byykkonen and Barbara (Jay) Garnell; also numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her father John Hongisto, mother Julia Hongisto and sister Charlene Hongisto.
Ruth was employed by St. Joseph Hospital, Portage View Hospital, and Western UP Health Department in Hancock, MI. She retired in 1999. Ruth was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Hancock, MI and was a woman of strong faith.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank Caring Circle and their hospice team for their loving care. Memorial contributions can be made to Zion Lutheran Church in Hancock, MI or to Meals on Wheels of Benton Harbor, MI, in honor of Ruth C. Ahonen. Cards and expressions of sympathy can be sent c/o Julie Thomsen, 1337 Whispering Trail, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence online may do so at www,starks-menchinger.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home – 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI.
Ruth is survived by her husband David; daughters - Pamela (Thomas) Howe of Fenton, MI, Julie (James) Thomsen of St. Joseph, MI and son - Richard (Brigette) Ahonen of Palmetto, FL; grandchildren – Matthew (Cristina) Howe, Ashley and Melissa Howe, Dayton, Demi and Dylan Thomsen; great grandchild – Lainey Howe; sisters – Irene Byykkonen and Barbara (Jay) Garnell; also numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her father John Hongisto, mother Julia Hongisto and sister Charlene Hongisto.
Ruth was employed by St. Joseph Hospital, Portage View Hospital, and Western UP Health Department in Hancock, MI. She retired in 1999. Ruth was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Hancock, MI and was a woman of strong faith.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank Caring Circle and their hospice team for their loving care. Memorial contributions can be made to Zion Lutheran Church in Hancock, MI or to Meals on Wheels of Benton Harbor, MI, in honor of Ruth C. Ahonen. Cards and expressions of sympathy can be sent c/o Julie Thomsen, 1337 Whispering Trail, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence online may do so at www,starks-menchinger.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home – 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI.
Service Details
View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.