Ruth Ann Powell, age 70, of Whitehall, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 15, 2014 in her home after a long fight with cancer.

Ruth was born July 26, 1944 in Arcadia to George and Elizabeth (Suchla) Klonecki. Ruth graduated from the Arcadia High School in 1962 and from the Eau Claire beauty school in August of 1963. She worked as a hairdresser for 40 years in Arcadia, Whitehall and Blair and also did day care for eight years.

Ruth married the love of her life, Melvin A. Powell, on October 26, 1971 in Whitehall, spending 43 wonderfully blessed years together.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Melvin; two great sons, James (Angela) Powell and John (Paula) Powell both of Whitehall; her super grandchildren, Trysten (friend, Victoria Salfer), Austin, Alexandra and Nicholas Powell, Megan (fiancé, Paul Nelson) Bautch, Abby (friend, James Heller) Bautch and Cody Bautch; two sisters, Delores Helwig and Theresa Klonecki both of Arcadia; nieces and nephews, Beverly (Bob) Kennebeck, Michael (Elva) Helwig and son, John, Jean (Bob) Spitzer and son, Tom, Carol (David) Weber and daughter, Katie and son, Casey, Sheila (Rusty) Severson and son, Carter and daughter, Macy and Scott Schock.

Ruth is also survived by her second family, Tammy (George) Enderich, Dan (special friend, Bob Crayne) and Rick Powell; grandchildren, Victoria (Gerald) Smith, Scott (Brianne) Enderich and Cameron Powell; three great-grandchildren, Brock and Logan Smith and Ray Enderich.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by brothers and sisters-in-law, Loren Helwig, Odin Mitskogen, Odell and Bernice Nordby and Delores Powell; a foster sister, Linda Schock and a grandniece, Maria Delores Helwig.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. in Saint John's Catholic Church in Whitehall with Father Woodrow Pace officiating.

Visitation will be Friday, December 19, 2014 from 4-7 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall here a Christian prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. followed by a parish rosary. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.