Ruth Marie Walter

Ruth Marie Walter, 95, of Jonesboro, formerly of Bella Vista, Arkansas, passed away on December 25, 2024 at her home surrounded by family. She was born on May 11, 1929 in Highland, Illinois to August Neuenschwander and Bertha Knebel Neuenschwander.

Ruth grew up in Highland, where she met the love of her life, Russell Walter, at St. Paul’s High School. They married in 1948 and shared 76 ½ beautiful years together. Ruth called Bella Vista home for 30 years before moving to Jonesboro in 2015. She was a member of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church in Bella Vista and enjoyed attending services locally at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

Blessed with eight beautiful children, Ruth raised them with love, compassion, and a generous spirit. She always made sure her children were cared for and her first priority, never worrying about herself. She babysat and ironed clothes for extra income that she put towards her children’s needs. Ruth loved seeing her children happy – taking them to the beach, buying ice cream cones, and baking cookies for after-school snacks. She was a wonderful cook and could create delicious meals for her large family out of just a few ingredients.

In addition to her parents, Ruth is preceded in death by her five brothers: John, Paul, Carl, Justin, and Roy.

She is survived by her devoted husband and best friend, Russell Walter of Jonesboro; her treasured children, Larry (Penny) Walter of Shawnee, Kansas, Vicki (Steve) Denton of Phoenix, Arizona, Thomas Walter of Lancaster, California, John (Joan) Walter of Lenexa, Kansas, Mary (Larry) Smith of Dayton, Oregon, Brenda (Rodney) Porter of Anthem, Arizona, Ellen (John) Hoover of Canyon Country, California, and Nelson (Jessica) Walter of Jonesboro; fifteen grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Jonesboro. A rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. prior to the service. An inurnment at St. Bernard Catholic Church Columbarium in Bella Vista will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church, 1 St Bernard Ln. Bella Vista, AR 72715 or Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1107 E Highland Dr. Jonesboro, AR 72401.