ERIE — Ruth C. Wehlage, 83, of Erie died at 1:40 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.

She was born on July 23, 1929, at St. Paul to John Michael and Catherine Mae (Thomas) Schoenhofer. She grew up there and attended local schools, graduating from St. Francis High School.

After graduating from high school, she worked at the Kansas Ordnance Plant in Parsons and for Hallmark Card Co. in Kansas City.

On June 7, 1952, she married Gerald A. Wehlage at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. After their marriage, they lived in Wichita and Olpe, returning to the rural Erie area in 1979. Mr. Wehlage preceded her in death on Dec. 27, 1990.

Mrs. Wehlage was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Erie and sang in the choir. She enjoyed sewing, embroidering, cooking, gardening and taking care of her farm. She had worked part-time in school cafeterias and in Erie schools after the death of her husband. She also volunteered at Erie Thrift Shop. The Wehlages adopted two children, who are very grateful for the loving parents they were privileged to have.

Survivors include a son, Joe Wehlage and his wife, Kelly, of Madison; a daughter, Mary Bond and her husband, Keith, of Edgerton; two grandchildren, Tasia Wehlage of Madison and Russell Cochran of Gardner; four brothers, Jerry Schoenhofer, Bob Schoenhofer, both of St. Paul, Ken Schoenhofer of Erie and Verl Schoenhofer of Chanute; and three sisters, Norma Carson of Oswego, Mary Jo Maher of Erie and Berniece King of Wichita.

Preceding her in death were seven sisters, Eileen Barnes, Kathleen McGowen, Irene Smith, Madonna Amos, Rita Lockwood, Veneta Lowe and Rose Schoenhofer.

The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Erie, with burial to follow in St. Francis Cemetery at St. Paul. The rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Erie. The family will receive friends following the rosary until 8 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to St. Ambrose Catholic Church and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 182, Erie, 66733.

Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.