Obituary of Ruth Cassel Wenger

To view the livestream of the service, please click here.

Passed peacefully at Fairview Mennonite Home, Cambridge, on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at 95 years of age, with all of her children by her side.

Loving wife of Don Wenger (deceased) for sixty years. Devoted mother to Dona (Rob) Hoover of Dryden, ON, Philip (Gail) of Washington, DC, Harold (Jody) of Denver, PA., David (Rose) of Winnipeg, MB, and Doug (Janelle) of Wellesley, ON. Loving Grandma of Scott (Beckie) Hoover, Jordan (Jessica) Hoover, Kelsey (Zach) Fox, Megan (Sheldon) Waldner, Ben (Adelina), Oak (Brynne), Hannah (Zach) Davidson, Daniel, Liesl, Sarah, Tim (Stephanie), Andy (Hannah), Charmian (Jason), Seth and Dana. Great-Grandma of Tamara, Riley, Joseph, Matthias, Miriam, Timothy, Azariah, Damian, Kiannah, Naya, Amelia, Simon, Elliot and two great-grandchildren on the way.

Dear sister of Carl Hackman, of Lansdale, PA., sister-in-law of Rhoda Wenger, Marie Kauffman, Esther McCoy, Lois Rivera-Wenger, and Lowell (Janet) Wenger, as well as many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Howard Musselman Hackman and Nora Ruth Cassel, sister-in-law Sue Hackman, and in-laws Roy G. Wenger and Marion Rosenberger, brothers-in-law Gordon Wenger, Bill McCoy, John Kauffman, and Mike Rivera.

Ruth was an adopted mother and grandmother to several treasured Laotian families whom she and Don welcomed into their home and lives throughout the years. More than three decades later, Ruth still remained close to Keooudone and Terry Zazulak, Joy, Pounnarith and Jonathan Ung.

Ruth was deeply committed to her family and her faith. Her love for Jesus and spending daily personal time with her Saviour shaped her life and mission. Ruth was a woman of prayer who spent countless hours praying for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many others. For a number of years, Ruth hosted weekly Bible studies in her apartment with treasured friends. She cared deeply for people and had a special way of reaching out and connecting with people “on the fringes” who seemed alone and needed a friend to talk to. Ruth had a love for music and, for many years, was a member of the Fairview Choir and Bell Choir. She was a member of Preston Mennonite Church and a long-time resident of Fairview Seniors Community in Cambridge, ON.

Special thanks to Dr. Callaghan, Dr. Lin, Personal Support Workers, Nurses, and Ontario Health at Home staff for their compassionate care and support throughout the years, and particularly throughout the last month.

To honour Ruth’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Ruth’s life on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 10 a.m. This will take place at Fairview Seniors Community, 515 Langs Drive, Cambridge, ON, in the Auditorium, 2nd floor.