Ruth Wisdom Burkert

Ruth (Darlene) Wisdom Burkert was born December 6, 1934, in Moline, Illinois, the third of five children born to Claude and Arvilla (Stellrecht) Wisdom. She was raised in Rock Island before the family moved to Geneseo in 1946. During her school years she enjoyed chorus, marching band, and was a member of the Rainbow Girls. She graduated from Geneseo High School in 1952. After graduation she went to work at Herman Nelson in Rock Island, where she met Douglas Burkert.

On June 5, 1955, Ruth married Douglas John Burkert in Geneseo, Illinois. They were blessed with two children, Douglas John Burkert Jr. and Nancy Anne Rateliff, and later five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. After retirement, Doug and Ruth left their longtime home in Rock Island and moved to Mustang, Oklahoma, on December 22, 1996. They shared 59 wonderful years of marriage before Douglas passed away on July 16, 2014.

She is survived by her son, Doug Jr. and his wife Mary of Garland, Texas; their children Lauren Daly (and her children Claire and Cade), Elyse Cole and husband Preston, and Brianne Dawson and husband Garrett. She is also survived by her daughter Nancy and husband Jeff of Mustang, Oklahoma; their children Jamie Crain and husband Garrett of Yukon, and Jacob Rateliff and wife Taylor of Mustang, along with their daughters Ellie Ann, Emmie Mae, and Everly Rose. Ruth's younger sister, Joyce Evans of Erie, IL and sister-in-law Joyce Wisdom of Erie, IL.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Burkert, her parents, her siblings Shirley Moffitt, William Wisdom and Ronald Wisdom.

Ruth was a devoted United Methodist for many years and remained a member of Crossroads Church in Mustang. She treasured her Sunday School class and the many friendships she formed there. She will miss her Monday morning breakfasts with her friends at Jimmy's Egg.

Ruth (and Doug) loved attending the many sporting events of her grandchildren; always their biggest fan. She learned to love softball, baseball, volleyball, swimming and track. It didn't matter how cold, hot or far they traveled, Ruth and Doug made as many events as possible. Today, she was a loyal OKC Thunder fan and loved watching the races on Sunday afternoon. Ruth loved attending family reunions and all the shenanigans that came with that! The last of her generation, she still loved seeing her nieces and nephews. She loved and enjoyed her great grandchildren, and GG was always good at sneaking them candy.

Ruth left this world and went to her newly prepared home in Heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 9, 2026. At 91, she said she had a great life but if Jesus said it was time to come home, she was ready.