Ruth

Whan

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IN LOVING MEMORY

Ruth Ann Whan

Jul 15 1938 - Aug 17 2025

Ruth Ann (Kundel) Whan, a resident of Plano, Texas, passed away August 17, 2025, at the age of 87.  She was born on July 15, 1938, to her loving parents, Henry Albert Kundel and Dorothy Ida (Spies) Kundel in Davenport, Iowa.  Ruth grew up on a farm outside of Davenport and graduated from Davenport High School in the Class of 1956. She continued her post-secondary education at St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Davenport, Iowa and graduated in 1959. She then began her 50+ years of nursing spanning everything from teaching Prenatal Care to Flight Nursing. She filled every role in her career with compassion and dedication.

During her time pursuing her Nursing Diploma, she met the love of her life, Thomas Jay Whan. The two were united in marriage on September 2, 1961, in Eldridge, Iowa, celebrating a bond that would span decades. Their journey together took them from Ames, Iowa, to the Chicago area, and to Plano, Texas, where they settled in 1981.

A true adventurer at heart, Ruth was also a licensed pilot. She had a deep love for music and enjoyed playing the accordion. Her hobbies included traveling, sewing, and going to tea parties with friends and family, especially her sisters.

Above all, her Christian faith and family were the cornerstones of Ruth’s life, a source of joy, strength, and unwavering love.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Sue Whan of Plano, Texas; son, Roger Whan and wife, Pam of McKinney, Texas; grandchildren, Corbin and wife, Alex, Rylan and wife, Brittany, Trenton, and Max; great grandchildren, Hadley and Tatyana; sisters, Eljean Lafrenz (Len), of Donohue, Iowa, Roberta Bowie of Tipton, Iowa; Mary Aitken of Bettendorf, Iowa, Elaine Johnson of Brimfield, Illinois, and Janet Stottler (Ken) of Henderson, Nevada; and a host of extended family members and friends, who will miss her and cherish her memory.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Dorothy Kundel; and beloved husband, Thomas Jay Whan.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas, 75013. The service will also be live streamed at the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/ruth-ann-whan. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location.

Memorials

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