Ruth Ann (Westvold) PRINGLE

PRINGLE, WESTVOLD, NORSTAD, KNUDSEN, HANKINS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:51

April 5, 1925 ---- September 21, 2017

Ruth Ann (Westvold) Pringle, 92, a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother and great-grandmother, entered into eternal life with the Lord on September 21, 2017.

She was born on April 5, 1925 in Eagle Grove, Iowa, to Severt and Nellie (Norstad) Knudsen) Westvold. Ruth was the youngest of triplets. Her father was a builder and architect who was born in Norway, and, as a young adult, was a ship builder. He immigrated to the United States and settled in Iowa. The family subsequently lived in various locales in which he built homes including Wichita, Kansas (primarily building homes in College Hill and Eastborough) and in Coral Gables, Florida. Ruth attended Wichita East High School and graduated from Kansas State University where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. After graduating, she taught school at Fabrique Elementary School in Wichita.

She met her husband, Kenneth W. Pringle, a lawyer with Collins, Williams, Hughes & Martin (he subsequently became a founding partner of the Martin Pringle law firm), after a fellow school teacher set them up to deliver Christmas candy together. They were married seven months later and began a lifelong partnership and forty-nine-year marriage that included family, friends, church, golf, tennis, and world travel. They were longtime members of Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Ruth loved to play bridge; was a member of Junior League of Wichita; and was also a women's nine-hole city golf champion. Ruth will be remembered for her smile, laugh and her kindness.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents; by her two brothers, Richard and Robert; and by her husband, Ken. She is survived by three children, Doug (Caroline) Pringle, Bruce (Shelley) Pringle, Lynne (John) Hankins; and by nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The family is grateful to the staff of Catholic Care Center for their compassion and for the excellent care that they provided to her. A private family service will be held. The family suggests donations in her memory to Catholic Care Center (6700 E. 45th Street North, Bel Aire, KS 67226) or to a charity of the donor's choice. Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.

The Wichita Eagle --- Wichita, Kansas
September 23, 2017