Barbara Faith ‘Barb’ Ruchensky

Barbara Faith ‘Barb’ Ruchensky

1931 – 2024

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - Barbara Faith “Barb” Ruchensky, 92, passed away peacefully in Scottsdale, Arizona after a brief illness. Plans are being made for a private celebration of life this summer. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Red Mountain Funeral Home, Mesa, Arizona. Memorials can be made to Silver Creek United Methodist Church, 1904 Orchard Ave., Galva, Iowa 51020. No flowers.

Barb was born to Blanche (Neal) and Wilbur Bennett in Ida Grove, on Nov. 28, 1931.

Barb was a lifelong member of Silver Creek United Methodist in Galva and attended when they were in the area and on-line during the last few years.

Barb graduated Galva High School, Galva in 1949, followed by the receipt of her nursing certificate from Morningside College in Sioux City. She began her nursing career shortly thereafter in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Barb married Robert William “Bob” Ruchensky of Sioux City on March 14, 1953, in Sioux City. After stops in Little Rock, Arkansas; Greely, Colorado; Mitchellville, Iowa; Schaller, and Carr, Colorado, the family settled in Farmington, New Mexico in 1962. Along the way, Barb received her RN from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake.

In Farmington, Barb worked as a nurse for a local OB/GYN and was charge nurse at San Juan Regional Medical Center before finishing her career in 1992 as the Supervisor for Presbyterian Medical Services in Farmington.

Barb was active in the New Mexico Nurses Association, Retired Nurses of New Mexico and loved mentoring young nurses.

Barb was known for her quick wit and sense of humor.  Her ability to laugh at herself and with others.

She always considered herself an Iowa farm girl, but loved her adopted southwest with the mountains, food, colors and various cultures.

Barb enjoyed time with family, playing cards, sewing, quilting, exercise classes and keeping track of a variety of sports teams from the Denver Broncos to the New Mexico Lobos. She loved playing cards with her four grandsons and watching them in a variety of activities and athletics as they grew up. In the last 16 years, she was blessed with six great grandchildren, and she loved to hear about their activities and school. Barb also loved catching up with former nurses and sharing stories.

After she lost Bob, Barb moved to Scottsdale, Arizona so that she could enjoy more frequent time with family. She enjoyed having regular visitors and taking part in family holiday celebrations.  At her senior living center, Barb made a number of new friends and enjoyed the card games, bingo and other activities.

Barb is survived by her son, Tom, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; daughter, Rhonda (Dan) Ashcraft of Scottsdale, Arizona; and son Michael (Lucille) of Chandler, Arizona. Barb is also survived by four grandsons, Ryan (Ally) Ashcraft of Scottsdale, Arizona, Chris (Lindsay) Ashcraft of Austin, Texas, Eric (Teresa) Ruchensky of Flagstaff, Arizona and Jared (Russell) Ruchensky of Houston, Texas, six great grandchildren and ten nieces and nephews.

Barb is preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents Wilber and Blanche and brothers Wayne (Barbara) Bennett and Bruce (Marlys) Bennett.

Services: Private celebration of life this summer

Red Mountain Funeral Home • Mesa, Arizona • 480-653-8600