Ruth Kopke Bergquist Takano Sliger

Ruth Kopke Bergquist Takano Sliger, 94, of Amarillo Texas passed into the next world on February 1, 2021.

Rosary will be said at 6:00 p.m., Friday, February 5, 2021 at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia St. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 6, 2021 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 4100 Coulter. Interment will follow in Llano Cemetery, Field of Valor next to her husband, Carl Takano. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home.

Ruth was born on August 30, 1926 to Charley and Gertrude Kopke in Pukwana, SD. In her younger years, the family lived near Weta, SD where her parents were homesteaders on what is now the Black Hills National Park. They moved to Wessington Springs and she graduated from Wessington Springs High School. She later began work in the printing field, which spanned over 30 years as a linotypist, proofreader and reporter.

When Ruth and her husband, Carl, were married, they moved to Arcadia CA, and she began work in Pasadena and later El Monte as a teletypist, proofreader and linotypist. After retirement, they moved to Texas where she was then employed by AISD as a school cafeteria manager for several years.

She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church including the Altar Guild, Our Lady's Rosary Makers and Young in Spirit, a honorary life member of the Texas PTA, member of the Top Records Songwriters Guild of America, and a published poet.

Her hobbies included: crossword puzzles, sewing, gardening, writing songs and poems (having 4 songs published), visiting friends, choir practice and Bible study. While her husband Carl was alive, they enjoyed traveling and camping, having visited many states and World Fairs.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her three sons: Donald, Ronald and David Bergquist; grandson Eric Bergquist; two husbands, Norman and Carl; two brothers: Howard and Harold Kopke; one step-brother, Raymond; four sisters, Pat, Gertrude, Violet and Marie.

Those left to mourn her passing include her daughter, Carol Takano of Austin, TX; daughter-in-law, Betty Bergquist of Kenner, LA; granddaughter, Ashleigh (Nick) Mauer of New Orleans, LA; great-grandsons, Caden and Ashton; two sisters, one sister-in-law; one special niece, Cindy Scarborough, and several nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests mass giving.

He opens wide for me that beautiful door,

And I shall dwell with Him forever more.