Ruby Helen Provencal

Ruby Helen Provencal was born on Friday, August 8, 1924, in Geary County, Kansas. She was the daughter of Edward William and Ella Wilhelmina (Knopp) Biegert. Ruby lived in Geary County, south of Junction City, Kansas until her marriage. They moved about twenty or thirty times while her husband was in the military, including tours of duty in Germany and Puerto Rico, prior to moving to Pomona, Kansas in 1974. Ruby moved to Ottawa in Franklin County, Kansas in 2006, where she made her home until her death on Saturday, July 10, 2010, at the age of eighty-five years. She attended Junction City High School with the class of 1941. She later earned her high school diploma and graduated from technical college in Tampa, Florida, as a licensed practical nurse in 1968. Ruby worked as a licensed practical nurse in Tampa, Florida; at the Irwin Army Hospital at Ft. Riley; and St. Francis Hospital in Topeka, Kansas. For seven years, from 1975 until 1982, she worked at Ransom Memorial Hospital in Ottawa, retiring in 1982. Ruby was a member of the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses and the Civil Air Patrol in the early 1950's, serving as secretary. She was a member of 4-H when she was in grade school. Ruby enjoyed her volunteer work, crocheting beautiful items for her family and friends to enjoy, and traveling. On March 31, 1941, Ruby was united in marriage with Romeo Arthur Provencal in Manhattan, Kansas. He preceded her in death on September 6, 1990. She is also preceded in death by her parents; son, Roger H. Provencal; four sisters, Frances Fitzgerald, Marie Gugler, Leola Wegscheider, twin, Ruth B. Nickerson; two brothers, Howard Biegert, Stanley Biegert; and grandson, James H. Provencal. Ruby is survived by three daughters, Sylvia J. Woolever and her husband, Jim, of Anchorage, Alaska, Geraldine S. Hall and her husband, Don, of Memphis, Tennessee, Belinda S. Adams and her husband, Richard, of Port St. Lucie, Florida; son, Denis E. Provencal of Florida; sister, Bernadine M. Fuqua of Topeka, Kansas; grandson, Philip Querica and his wife, Mai, of Simi Valley, California; and great-grandson, Haydn Querica of Simi Valley, California. SERVICES: A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, at Sacred Heart Church in Ottawa, Kansas. IN STATE: Mrs. Provencal will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary from 1:00 to 4:00 Tuesday afternoon. A Rosary will be said at 6:30 Tuesday evening at Sacred Heart Church, followed by visitation from 7:00 to 8:00. CEMETERY: Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 14, at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Sacred Heart School, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.