Ruth Louise Plebanek

Ruth Plebanek, 93, went home to her Lord and savior peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of January 17, 2025, in Tucson, AZ, where she called home for 41 years. Arrangements have been entrusted to Evergreen Mortuary in Tucson, AZ.

Ruth’s final resting place is Green Hills Memorial Park at 27501 S. Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 (310) 831-0311. Her Service will be at the Green Hills Chapel 2:00pm PST Saturday February 22, 2025. The Service will be live streamed. For details contact Cyndi at cyndi@goosemoose.com

A Celebration of Life is planned during March 2025, at her home church: Ascension Lutheran Church 1220 W. Magee Rd. Tucson, AZ 85704 (520) 297-3095 Date TBD.

Ruth was born May 29, 1931 in Los Angeles, CA as the first of 3 children to Edward and Hildur (Peterson) Ryberg. Ruth grew up in Los Angeles attending parochial school at Faith Lutheran Church. Ruth attended John C. Fremont High School where she met the love of her life, Fred Plebanek whose family moved to Los Angeles from Junction City, Kansas during WWII.

On August 17, 1951, Ruth and Fred were married at Faith Lutheran Church, Los Angeles, CA just 2 months after Fred enlisted into the U.S. Navy at the onset of the Korean War. They welcomed the arrival of their first child, Cynthia Denise in 1952 followed by their son, Brian Matthew in 1958. The young family bought a home in Torrance, CA in 1959 where Ruth and Fred resided until 1984. Ruth was a Domestic Engineer, as Fred called her, and raised her children, mostly as a stay-at home Mom while taking part times jobs here and there along the way. She loved crafts and had a huge assortment of handmade holiday and special occasion items. Ruth was a Girl Scout Leader for a couple of years while Cynthia was in Elementary School.

In 1984, Fred’s employer assigned him to a new Aerospace Manufacturing and Test Lab in Tucson, AZ where they lived until Fred’s passing Nov. 24, 2021, after celebrating 70 years of marriage that summer. Ruth and Fred loved their dogs and the family added a sweet German Shepherd puppy, Lady, in 1963-1976. They then rescued an 18 month old Golden Retriever (Buckeye) and fell in love with the breed, owning 2 more consecutively (Whidbey and Willy).

Ruth was a devout Christian and served her home churches in Alter Guild and Flower Arrangements as well as other service opportunities.

Ruth was preceded in death by her Parents as well as both of her younger siblings, Edward W Ryberg, Jr (2016) and Janet A Rowland (2007). Ruth leaves behind her Daughter Cyndi Craig (David); Son Brian Plebanek (Gail) as well as 2 Granddaughters; Holly Buckholtz (Brandon) and Whitney Frogge (Roy) as well as 3 Great-Grandchildren; Brielle and Brycen Buckholtz and Zechariah Frogge. In addition, there are many nephews, nieces, cousins, Great and Great-Great Nephews and Nieces on both sides of the family. Ruth’s outgoing personality and infectious smile will be missed. The family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful care provided to her by the staff at Oak Haven Assisted Living over the past 20 months.

In lieu of flowers, our Family has requested that a donation be made to the Southern Arizona Golden Retriever Rescue in her honor. www.southern-az-golden-retriever-rescue.org