Mary Ruth Sherrell Ennenga, 95, died surrounded by loved ones in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 30, 2024. She was blessed with a long life and will be remembered for her brilliant smile, kind heart, love of family, and the enchanting stories she told her children and grandchildren. She loved the rich history and geography of the western United States and the plains, but her heart was forever in Tennessee where she was born and raised. Ruth was born on Aug. 21, 1928, in Manchester. She was married with love to James Lewis Ennenga on June 21, 1948. James and Ruth raised five daughters in Omaha, later lived in Knoxville, and shared 65 years of marriage. Ruth enjoyed painting, gardening, floral arranging, genealogy, and geology. She was a lifelong learner and graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska at Omaha when she was 56 years old. She is survived by her daughters Mary (Larry) Richling and Susan (Randy) Haskell of Omaha, Wilma “Winnie” Ennenga of Flagstaff, and Diana Jeanne Thraen of Fort Collins; by her grandchildren Brad (Zara) Richling, Paul (Kelly) Haskell, Erin (Blake) Bowler, Sarah (Jordan) Peterson, and Emily (David) Dekkers; eight great-grandchildren; her sisters JoAnn Parker, Sara Sherrell, and Barbara Pickens; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death

by her husband James; daughter Nettie; granddaughter Heather; and great-granddaughter Colette; parents William, Jr. and Mary Cansada (LaFevre); stepmother Mary (Townsend); and siblings Wilma (Neal), “Bill,” “Corky,” Fred, and Charles.  The celebration of life will be held at a later date in Lennox, S.D., when the flowers are in full bloom. In lieu of flowers or donations, the family kindly requests your thoughts and prayers during this time of mourning.

PRIVATE OBITUARY