Madison - Ruth Kennedy Armstrong Cartner, age 100, passed away at Waunakee Manor Retirement Center on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. The cause of death was a long and well-lived life. She was born Ruth Ora Kennedy on May 28, 1917 in Tunnel City, WI, the daughter of Alvah and Tressie Kennedy. Sturdy young Ruth spent her childhood on her parent’s farm enjoying working in the outdoors to the confines of domestic household chores.

Ruth moved to Madison in 1938. She married Donald K. Armstrong in 1939, and raised four children, Mira, Karl, Lorene, and Dwight Armstrong. Before her retirement, Ruth worked for Gardner Bakery and then Central Wisconsin Colony. She was an avid card (hand-and-foot and euchre) and Scrabble player. A member of the Madison Scrabble Club, she played the game with her children until the last few months of her life. Ruth had a great love of music and loved to dance.

In later years, she was able to travel the world, often in the company of her best friend Irma Triggs, the two of them circling the globe with stops in Spain, Moscow, China, and Thailand. She also visited Hawaii, Alaska, and Mexico.

Ruth was a loving mother and grandmother, and a loyal loving friend. Among many attributes, she was patient, resilient, forgiving, and was well loved.

She is survived by her children, Mira (Larry) Severson, Karl Armstrong, and Lorene (Christopher Hoff) Armstrong; grandchildren, Kristi (Sylvia) Bakken, René (Garry) Puzach, Will (Denise) Farr, Michelle (Marcus Thymian) Farr, Nicole Farr, and Drew Armstrong; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and beloved dog, Archie.

She is preceded in death by her two husbands, Donald Armstrong and James Cartner; son, Dwight; infant daughter Lorena; brothers, Harley, Ellsworth, and Delbert; and sisters, Lola and May.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20th, 2017 at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 N. Sherman Ave., Madison with Pastor Leonard Allen officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service. A reception will follow. Ruth will be laid to rest at Greenfield Cemetery in Tunnel City, Wis.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be written to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711, or to Society of St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 259686, Madison, WI 53725.

Thank you to the wonderful, giving, staff of Waunakee Manor and those of Agrace HospiceCare who shared their time and care these last months. To Waunakee Manor, thank you for giving loving care to Mom in the last 10 years.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ruth Cartner

May 28, 1917 - December 14, 2017

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