Ruth W. (Wulf) Thomas

THOMAS, RUTH W.
PORTAGE

Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. Ruth was born, Charlotta Frieda Ruth Wulf, in Leipzig, East Germany on May 13, 1928, where she lived until 1945 when she escaped to West Germany. In 1948 she returned to Leipzig, East Germany and helped her family escape from East to West Germany. The family settled in Hamburg, West Germany where she met Herbert M.H. Bardenhagen. They married in 1949 and immigrated to Kalamazoo, Michigan via Ellis Island in 1950. Immigration changed Ruth's name to Ruth W. Bardenhagen as her given name was considered, by immigration, to be too long. Together they had three children. Herbert and Ruth divorced, and in 1975 she married Francis L. Thomas. They moved to Florence, Colorado in 1979 where they lived for ten years. In 1989 they moved to Hartford, Indiana, which was where Francis had grown up. Following Francis's worsening condition, as a result of a stroke, they returned to Portage in 1995. Together they spent ten years as "Snowbirds" in Hudson, Florida.

Survivors include her three children, Christian (Renda) Wulf, Mary Hutchins, Deborah (Chuck) Ludlow; grandchildren, Nikki (Rick), Andrea (Matt), Michelle (Derk), Michael, and Charles (Caitlin); great grandchildren, Alex (Cassidy), Andrew, Brandy, and Brayden. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Francis; son, John Bardenhagen; step-children, Shirley Vinyard and Jerry Thomas; son-in-law, Dennis Hutchins.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 11:00 am at Lord of Life Lutheran Church 9420 Portage Road Portage, MI 49002. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 10-11:00 am at the church. Private interment will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services 622 S Burdick St Kalamazoo, MI 49007. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorial contributions to Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Hospice Care of SW Michigan) 7100 Stadium Drive Kalamazoo, MI 49009 or Bibles for Missions 2375 E Milham Ave. Portage, MI 49002 in memory of Ruth. To leave an online condolence, please visit https://www.langelands.com