Ruth E. (Norris) Cogdill

Ruth E. Cogdill, 92, of Kewanna passed away peacefully early Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

Born on July 2, 1929 in Hammond, she was the daughter of the late Marion and Helen (Carstensen) Norris.

Ruth grew up in Hammond Indiana and graduated from Hammond High.

On June 5, 1948 she married Frank S. Cogdill, who preceded her in death on May 25, 2002.

Survivors include her children, Linda Ligocki of Winamac, Jane Teeter of Fort Wayne, Tim (Debbie) Cogdill of Macy, James (Karen) Cogdill of Russiaville and Mike (Ingrid) Cogdill of Eagle River, Alaska, 22 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren, and 14 great-great grandchildren.

She is also survived by her sisters, Nellie Norris and Susie (Michael) Norris, and brothers David Norris and Terry (Barb) Norris.

She was preceded in death by her parents Marion and Helen (Carstensen), her husband Frank, and son Mark Cogdill.

She worked as a Nurse Tech for several years at Pulaski Memorial Hospital where OB was her favorite department.  Ruth then worked for many years with Dr. Charlie Heinsen’s at his family practice in Winamac where she retired.

The Cogdill’s also owned the Kibitzer in Kewanna in the early 1970s.

Ruth enjoyed many activities over the years, from homemaking, working in her gardens and quilting, to, to camping and fishing. She traveled with her children and their families to many destinations across the country, taking great interest in local sites, history, culture and events.

In addition, she was active in many youth activities while raising her six children.  Being a Cub Scout Den Mother was one of her favorite activities.

There are people born into this world that are pure sunshine. You know it when you see them. They welcome you with a smile and take you in. They sit you down at their table, or have you pull up a chair in the backyard, and they tell you stories, and most lovingly listen to yours. They are people of memories: memory tellers (and oh-boy did she have a memory) and keepers and makers.  They are the ones who grab your hand with both of theirs, lean in, and tell you how much they love you and are proud of you.

Our family lost our brightest ray of sunshine. Ruth (and also so adoringly, our Rennie) lived the loveliest life on her own for many years up until recently in her old family home. It wasn’t a place of glamour. There were no marble countertops, or high end fixtures, but it was a place to go where you knew you were going to receive love unlike any other. The love was effortless and immense; Pure and selfless. She is why we love old photos and old stories and cherish old memories tied to “things.” (They are our families’ history, you know). Why we love counting curves in the road, a late summer evening, and a pack of little cinnamon pecan swirls for breakfast.

Losing her is losing a lifetime. Honoring her is easy, living up to be someone like her will hard - she just so effortlessly set that bar high.

Graveside services and burial will be held at a later date at Citizens I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Kewanna.

Ruth’s online guestbook is available and condolences can be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.