Patricia Louise (Sanders) Ruhenkamp passed away peacefully on May 6, 2026, at Vancrest of St. Marys. She was 90 years old.

Pat was born on March 6, 1936, in Fort Loramie, Ohio, to the late Henry and Emma (Boerger) Sanders. On June 28, 1958, she married Donald Ruhenkamp at St. Michael Catholic Church. Don proceeded her in death in 2022. Together they shared 63 years of marriage and centered their lives around their faith and family, including eight children: the late Carl (Chuck) Ruhenkamp, Anne & Phil Barhorst, Dave & Lisa Ruhenkamp, Jeff & Dianne Ruhenkamp, Kaye &George Sholtis, Greg & Jenny Ruhenkamp, Donna & Chris (Otis) Olberding and Gayle &Brian Westerheide.

Among Pat's greatest joy was her 24 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, with delightful anticipation of two on the way. She is also survived by one sister, Jeanne & Dan Mescher of Osgood; sisters and brother-in-law, Marlene Sanders of Hudson and Maxine & Bob Cooper of Centerville.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Carl and Robert Sanders, oldest son Carl (Chuck) Ruhenkamp as well as father and mother-in-law, Clem & Josephine Ruhenkamp. Pat would wish to acknowledge the countless friends who became family she and Don cherished throughout their lives and also preceded her in death.

A 1954 graduate of Fort Loramie High School, Pat was a lifelong devout parishioner of St. Michael Catholic Church. She served her community through the Fort Loramie Booster Club, GYM Committee and directly impacted many lives within the community through her service on the Fort Loramie Rescue Squad. Pat devoted many years as a secretary for the family business, Ruhenkamp Farm Drainage, Incorporated, and at The Dannon Company. As a young adult, Don and Pat founded White Oak Lake with ten of their closest friends, creating a private property and pond where they raised their children and celebrated life's most special moments together. Above all, Pat's greatest work was that as a mother; her love extended far beyond her own family. She became a guiding maternal figure to countless friends, neighborhood children and relatives who found warmth, comfort and unconditional acceptance within her home. She practiced honesty, compassion and inclusion, values she passed to each of her children.

Pat will be remembered for her steady faith, quiet strength and unwavering love for her family and Fort Loramie, the place she passionately called home for 90 years. Fort Loramie was more than her hometown, it was where she built her life, raised her family, nurtured lifelong friendships and poured her heart into her community. Her legacy will live on in the generations she deeply cherished.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30AM on Monday, May 11, 2026, at St. Michael Church in Fort Loramie, with burial to follow at St. Michael Cemetery.

Friends may call Sunday, May 10, 2026, from 2:00-7:00PM and Monday from 9:00-10:00AM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie.

Memorials may be made to Wilson Home & Health Hospice and Grand Lake Hospice or charities of choice.

Private condolences may be expressed at the www.gehretfuneralhome.com website.