Ruth Marie Junker (nee Spannagel) died peacefully, with her family at her side, July 12, 2026. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Junker. Ruth was the mother of Lisa (Al) Salazar, Kevin (Teri) Junker, David (Tracy) Junker, and Steven (Kristen Nostrand) Junker; grandmother of Elizabeth Salazar, Claire (Steven) Hutchinson, Justin Junker, Gabrielle (Jared) Alberts, Alexandra (John) Nelson, Nicolas (Whitley) Junker, Kendall Junker, and Georgia Junker; great-grandmother of Ashton Nelson, Aubrey Nelson, and George Hutchinson; and sister of Karen Merling. Welcomed into heaven by her parents, Frank and Ethel Spannagel, and sister, Jean Reindl. Ruth was a beloved religion teacher at St. Saviour in Deer Park for many years.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Ruth will be set for a future date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.