Ruth Ann Petitjean

Arapahoe, Nebraska Ruth Ann Petitjean, age 102, of Arapahoe, Nebraska died on Monday, October 19, 2009 at the C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center, Arapahoe, Nebraska. She was born on November 6, 1906, at Orleans, Nebraska to Simeon J. & Ida E. (Cordell) Tubridy. She attended District 4 Country School and Orleans High School. in 1923 she traveled to Denver, Colorado to live with her sister Katie. While there she worked in the millinery department of the May D & F department store. She would return home in 1925 due to illness and to help with work on the family farm. She married Charles Joseph Petitjean on November 26, 1926. She became an instant mother to Dorothy, Keith, and Gayle. A son Charles and a daughter Cheryl were added to the family in 1928 and 1946 respectively. They made their home at Stamford, Nebraska until 1959 when they moved to St. Francis, Kansas to be near their son Chuck and his family. In 1993 she moved to Sunshine Village in Arapahoe, Nebraska and later to the CA Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe, Nebraska. She was baptized into the Christian faith and was a lifelong member of the Christian Church of Stamford. She was active in the "Ladies Missionary Group" of the church and a regular attendee of adult Sunday School. She served as the head cook for the Stamford school from the inception of the hot-lunch program until moving to St. Francis. While at St. Francis she worked for the Good Samaritan Home as head cook until her retirement. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles, daughter Dorothy, & son Keith Petitjean. She is survived by her Sons: Chuck Petitjean of St. Francis, Kansas Gayle and wife Wilma Woodruff of Kearney, Nebraska Daughter: Cheryl & husband Rube Ahrens of Arapahoe, Nebraska Grandchildren: 20 Great-Grandchildren: 36 Great-Great Grandchildren: 27 Condolences and personal reflections may be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com Viewing and visitation will be Thursday, October 22, from 9 AM till 8 PM at Wenburg Funeral Home, in Arapahoe, Nebraska and prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, at 1 PM at First United Methodist Church, in Arapahoe, Nebraska with Rev. Michael Flury, officiating. Internment will be at the Stamford Cemetery, Stamford, Nebraska. Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska, is in charge of the arrangements.