Ruth L. Penhallegon

Ruth Louise Kardokus Penhallegon, age 93, passed away August 15, 2020 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.  She was born to Alexander and Mary Ellen Kardokus on December 3, 1926 in Caddo County, Oklahoma.

She was raised on the family farm and graduated from Eakley High School in 1942. The family moved to Oklahoma City in 1944 where she worked and helped to support her family as her father was in ill health. Ruth met her husband, Richard (Dick) on a blind date and they were married 3 months later on September 9, 1949. She and Dick had 3 children: Richard Jr., Mary Joanna, and Laura. The family lived in Oklahoma City until 1960 when they moved to Fort Worth, Texas and lived there until 1969. In 1969, the family moved to Durango, Colorado and then settled in Albuquerque in 1970.

While living in Durango, Ruth worked part-time as a cook for a special needs facility for young adults and loved to tell them stories of the different foods they would be having for dinner.

Ruth was also a licensed realtor in Albuquerque for 3 years and decided to give it up as she couldn’t lie to the clients about the houses they wanted to buy. She went to work for Allsups in 1974 and worked at various locations and was promoted to manager by Mr. And Mrs. McDonald. She then went to work as a manager for 7-11 when they moved into the Albuquerque market. She retired from 7-11 and less than a year later, management called her and asked her if she would be interested in coming back to work. She had certain criteria (no sweeping, no stocking, and no cleaning of parking lots or gas pumps). They agreed to her terms and she retired the second time at the age of 82. During her employment with 7-11, Ruth volunteered to answer phones for the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon over Labor Day weekend and always made sure her granddaughters were there so they knew the importance of giving back.

Ruth was a life long member of Beta Sigma Phi and originally joined in Fort Worth in 1964.  She always felt she had a sisterhood regardless of where she lived and was active in different chapters in Durango and Albuquerque. She was President of her chapter twice and held various positions in her chapter and City Council.

Ruth loved to travel and she enjoyed her time with her family and friends through out the country. The highlight of her travels was when she went to England for 10 days and saw the tower of London, Big Ben, and all the other attractions. She traveled to Cornwall and saw where her husband’s family was from and enjoyed herself tremendously. Upon departing England, the ticket taker at the airport looked at her name and stated it was quite famous in the United Kingdom.

Ruth’s last years were filled with spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She had her dog, Mr. Bo Jangle’s in her lap all the time and they were cuddle buddies when she went to bed.

Ruth was preceded in death by the love of her life, Richard W. Pahallegon, Jr.; daughter, Joanna (Jodi) Vandeuer; brother Edwin K. Kardokue.

She is survived by her son, Richard W. Penhallegon; daughter, Laura P. Hartsock; grandsons, Paul (Kim) Saunders, Ian (Amy) Saunders, Richard J. Penhallegon; granddaughter, Leah Chall-Carrillo, Deonna L. (Jason) Caso; and her pet dog, Mr. Bo Jangles.

Private service will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on September 9, 2020 at 11: A.M. Where she will be reunited with her husband, Dick, on their 71st wedding anniversary.

Memorial Services for Ruth will be in the spring of 2021 at which time we hope everyone can attended to celebrate her incredible life.

Remember Me:

To the living, I am Gone.

To the sorrowful, I will never return.

To the angry, I was cheated.

But to the happy, I am at peace.

And to the faithful, I have never left.

I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.

So as you stand upon a shore, gazing at a beautiful sea - remember me.

as you look in awe at a mighty forest and its grand majesty - remember me.

As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity - remember me.

Remember me in your heart, your thoughts, your memories of the times we loved,

the times we cried, the times we fought, the times we laughed.

For if you always think of me, I will never be gone.