Ruth Ingrid Borg, 88 of Kenosha, WI passed away on August 18, 2022 at Saint Catherine’s Hospital. The daughter of Axel Gunnar Borg and Charlotte Bernhardina Bengston, she was born on March 29, 1934 in Chicago, IL.
Ruth and her Swedish immigrant parents moved to Lake Forest and eventually to Kenosha in 1942. Her father was a carpenter who owned Rainbow Cabinet Shop in Kenosha. She graduated from Bradford High School in 1952 and went on to Bethel College for Nursing. With her grit, determination and optimistic spirit, she forged an illustrious career. She started her nursing career at West Suburban Hospital and within a few years moved on to the Downey Veterans Hospital in North Chicago, IL, where she became head of Nursing.
Ruth married Billy Earl Kent on November 4, 1959 in Waukegan, IL and would later divorce; he died on June 22, 1986. She married Edward R. Wagner on February 18, 1978 in Milwaukee, WI; he died on April 7, 2013 in Greenfield, WI.
Ruth was honored in 1998 with a Distinguished Alumni Award by the Bradford Alumni Association, recognizing her outstanding service in Nursing and Music. She had worked in nursing since 1956 and music since 1967. During her many years and before her retirement from Downey VAH, she had articles published and had received Quality Achievement Awards. She has also received awards in music, was a member of the Schubert Club, American Nurses Association (ANA) and Hawthorne Hollow. She has been listed multiple times in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who of American Women and Who’s Who in the World. She was a very giving person, always willing to help others. She was a music teacher for many years, sharing her love for piano, organ and voice with her students. She also performed numerous times at area churches and other events. She has been a long-time member of the United Christian Church and was a former member of the Pleasant Prairie Baptist church.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and by her beloved, Dr. Ghonsham Sooknandan, originally from British Guiana, who passed away on August 12, 2001. She is survived by her loving and caring friends, Kathy Werve and Raul Perez.
A memorial service for Ruth was held at 11:00AM on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at Kenosha United Christian Church. A visitation was held at 10:00AM until time of service at the church. Please all come and share any and all memories and stories you may have shared with Ruth.