Ruth S. Vogel, 92, of Mattoon, had her prayers answered at 11:41 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2009, at the Mattoon Health Care Center when she was taken home to Heaven.

Funeral services celebrating her life in Christ will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 Charleston Avenue in Mattoon, with Pastor Bruce D. Osborne officiating, assisted by Pastor Troy A. Countryman. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to service time on Saturday morning at the Church. The Schilling Funeral Home is assisting the family with the local arrangements. A second visitation and funeral service will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Jansen, Nebraska. Burial will follow in the Jansen Cemetery, Jansen, Nebraska.

Ruth was born February 24, 1917, near Plymouth, Nebraska, a daughter of August G. and Sophie H. (Heidelk) Schroeder. She was baptized on March 28, 1917.

Ruth was first married to Leslie Friesen on May 16, 1940 and he preceded her in death. She later married the Reverend Leroy E. Vogel, Sr. on November 24, 1965 and he preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Angela (Vogel) Gebhardt; two brothers, Chester Schroeder and Harold Schroeder; and one sister, Jean Darrow.

She is survived by one daughter, Judith Nack and husband Pastor Del Nack of Mattoon; one stepson, the Rev. Leroy E. Vogel, Jr. and wife Gloria of Spring Valley, Minnesota; two stepdaughters, Marva Eickoff and husband Virgil of Wykoff, Minnesota and Carol Gauerke and husband Quentin of Thornton, Colorado; one sister, Lela Dailey of North Platte, Nebraska; 16 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; and 13 nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Vogel was formerly employed as a U.S. Postal Clerk and bank teller and also worked as a bookkeeper for Smitty’s Furniture and Appliance in Jansen, Nebraska. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mattoon and had been an active Lutheran Women’s Missionary League member for many years. Ruth also served as a Braille transcriber of Lutheran Sunday School lessons and books. Ruth loved sewing, quilting, needlework, gardening and flowers. During her lifetime she lovingly made many Christmas stockings for family and friends.

Memorial gifts in her honor are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran School Scholarship Fund.