Ruth C. Wehlage, 83, of Erie, died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013 at the Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.

She was born July 23, 1929, at St. Paul, to John Michael and Catherine Mae Thomas Schoenhofer. She grew up there and attended local schools, graduating from St. Francis High School.

After graduating from high school she worked at the Kansas Ordnance Plant in Parsons and for Hallmark Card Co. in Kansas City.

On June 7, 1952 she and Gerald A. Wehlage were married at the St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. After their marriage they lived both in Wichita and Olpe, returning to the rural Erie area in 1979. Her husband preceded her in death on Dec. 27, 1990.

She was a member of the St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Erie and sang in the choir. She enjoyed sewing, embroidering, cooking, gardening and taking care of her farm. She had worked part time in school cafeterias and in the Erie schools after the death of her husband. She also volunteered at the Erie Thrift Shop. The Wehlages adopted two children, who are very grateful for the loving parents they were privileged to have.

Survivors include a son, Joe Wehlage and his wife, Kelly, Madison; daughter, Mary Bond and her husband, Keith, Edgerton; two grandchildren, Tasia Wehlage, Madison, Russell Cochran, Gardner; four brothers, Jerry Schoenhofer, St. Paul, Ken Schoenhofer, Erie, Verl Schoenhofer, Chanute, Bob Schoenhofer, St. Paul; three sisters, Norma Carson, Oswego, Mary Jo Maher, Erie, Berniece King. Wichita.

Preceding her in death were seven sisters, Eileen Barnes, Kathleen McGowen, Irene Smith, Madonna Amos, Rita Lockwood, Veneta Lowe and Rose Schoenhofer.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 10 at the St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Erie, with burial to follow in the St. Francis Cemetery at St. Paul. The Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Erie. The family will receive friends following the rosary until 8 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Ambrose Church. They may be left at or mailed to the funeral home at Box 182, Erie, KS 66733. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com