Ruth E. (Rehwinkel) Karpenske, age 68, of Marion, Iowa, passed away suddenly February 20, 2021, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa after a brief, courageous battle with lung cancer. She was born on December 10, 1952 in Merrill, WI to Elizabeth and William Rehwinkel. She married Wayne Karpenske on November 30, 1974.  Ruth enjoyed flower gardening, nature, fishing, HGTV, being “up north” in Wisconsin, and most of all, time with her grandchildren. Her grandchildren brought her and Wayne to Iowa shortly after her retirement from Marshfield Clinic, where she was a medical records clerk for many years.

Ruth is survived by her loving husband, Wayne Karpenske of Marion, Iowa, two children, Jessica (Noland) Gurwell of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jeremy (LeAnn) Karpenske of Menomonie, WI, three grandchildren, Mira, Grayson and Grant Gurwell of Cedar Rapids, IA, sisters Julie (Jerry) Hartwig of Mosinee, WI, Carol Peterson of Merrill, WI, Rose (Fred) Storm of Merrill, WI, and brother James Rehwinkel of Merrill, WI and many nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth and William Rehwinkel and nephew, Matthew John Peterson.

A memorial service will occur in Merrill, Wisconsin this summer at a further to be determined date and location.  In leu of flowers, Ruth’s wish is that donations be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cff.org or the Willis Dady Homeless Shelter at www.willisdady.org.