Ruth A. (Stratton) Varkonda

SALEM - Ruth A. Varkonda, age 92 of Salem, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on December 13, 2024.

Born on November 15, 1932 in Salem, she was the daughter of Wilford and Helen Dressel Stratton and was a 1950 graduate of the Olney Friends School in Barnesville.

Ruth met her husband, John Varkonda while waitressing at the Town Hall Diner in Salem. They were married in New York City on May 19, 1953 on the CBS television show called “Bride & Groom." The wedding was sponsored by General Mills and was viewed by two million people. After a honeymoon at the 1,000 Acres Dude Ranch in Stoney Creek, NY, they lived on the family farm in Atwater.

After a time, they moved to Salem and bought their own small farm. While John worked at Eljers, Ruth was a stay at home mom raising their four children and a true farmer’s wife. She tended to a large vegetable garden, raspberry patch, and even helped bale hay.

Ruth was an active and faithful 60+ year member of the Salem First Presbyterian Church where she served as a deacon. Her strong faith carried her through many valleys throughout her life. She was a caring and nurturing mother, always supportive of her children.

She worked in the Children’s Department of the Salem Public Library for almost 28 years, retiring in December of 2013. She said she was retiring because she was too old to learn the new computer system. She enjoyed working at the library and being a part of the lives of so many young people.

She enjoyed playing cards with friends and was always up for a game of Tripoley with the family, frequently winning much to the chagrin of others. She loved the Peanuts’ Gang, especially Snoopy and always smiled when another was added to her collection.

Ruth is survived by daughters, Lynn (Mark) Zocolo of Salem and Amy (Keith) Holbrook of Galena, OH; daughter-in-law, Jane Varkonda of Martha’s Vineyard; and brother, Robert (Winnie) Stratton of Barnesville, OH. She was so proud of her six grandchildren, her five great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter with another on the way, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Ruth was proceeded in death by her husband, John Varkonda; parents, Wilford and Helen (Dressel) Stratton; daughter, Bonnie Lee; sons, Rick Varkonda and John J. Varkonda; and sisters, Betty Stratton Solomon and Jean Stratton Stanley.

There are no calling hours or funeral service planned as per her request. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.

The family thanks Kim, Anna, Nicole, and Wayne from Traditions Health for their time, care, compassion, and support through the last three months. You were the God Wink in our lives when we needed you most.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Salem First Presbyterian Church Music Fund, 436 East Second St. Salem, OH 44460.

Arrangements are being handled by Stark Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth A. (Stratton) Varkonda, please visit our floral store.