Ruth (Darlene) Wisdom Burkert

Ruth (Darlene) Wisdom Burkert was born on December 6, 1934, in Moline, Illinois, the third of five children born to Claude and Arvilla (Stellrecht) Wisdom. Raised in Rock Island, she moved with her family to Geneseo in 1946. She graduated from Geneseo High School in 1952, having enjoyed chorus, marching band, and membership in the Rainbow Girls. After graduation she worked at Herman Nelson in Rock Island, where she met Douglas Burkert.

On June 5, 1955, Ruth married Douglas John Burkert in Geneseo, Illinois. They shared 59 years of marriage and were blessed with two children, Douglas John Burkert Jr. and Nancy Anne Rateliff, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. In December 1996, after retirement, they left their longtime home in Rock Island and moved to Mustang, Oklahoma. Douglas passed away on July 16, 2014.

Ruth was a devoted member of the United Methodist Church for many years and remained active at Crossroads Church in Mustang, where she cherished her Sunday School class and the friendships formed there. She looked forward to her Monday morning breakfasts with friends at Jimmy’s Egg. An enthusiastic supporter of her grandchildren, Ruth and Doug attended countless sporting events through the years, traveling any distance and braving any weather to cheer them on in softball, baseball, volleyball, swimming, and track. She remained a loyal OKC Thunder fan and enjoyed watching races on Sunday afternoons. She loved family reunions, staying connected with her nieces and nephews, and spending time with her great-grandchildren, often sneaking them candy as their beloved GG.

Ruth is survived by her son Doug Jr. and his wife Mary of Garland, Texas, and their children Lauren Daly and her children Claire and Cade, Elyse Cole and husband Preston, and Brianne Dawson and husband Garrett; her daughter Nancy and husband Jeff of Mustang, Oklahoma, and their children Jamie Crain and husband Garrett of Yukon, and Jacob Rateliff and wife Taylor of Mustang, along with their daughters Ellie Ann, Emmie Mae, and Everly Rose; her younger sister Joyce Evans of Erie, Illinois; and sister-in-law Joyce Wisdom of Erie, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her husband Douglas, her parents, and her siblings Shirley Moffitt, William Wisdom, and Ronald Wisdom.

She passed away on March 9, 2026, at the age of 91, at peace and ready to go home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.