Ruth Kay Knudson

Ruth Kay (Wagener) Knudson, 79, of Lebanon, Tennessee, graduated to be with the Lord early on Sunday morning, May 26, 2024. She was born November 7, 1944, to parents, Charles and Dorothy (Shotwell) Wagener. Ruth was born in Lander, Wyoming and raised in northern California. It was while she was training as a nurse at West Suburban Hospital in Chicago that she met the love of her life, Paul Knudson. Together, they made a welcoming home and raised four children there before retiring to Tennessee.

Ruth was a compassionate nurse, a loving mother, and a treasured wife. She appreciated the beauty of simple things - a good book, walks on the beach, crafting, singing in the church choir, and afternoon tea parties or treasure hunting in a cute shop. More than anything, Ruth's delight was her family and her Lord. She was a steadfast supporter of local and global missions, a faithful member of Victory Baptist Church, and help of all.

Ruth leaves behind her husband of nearly 57 years, Paul; children Paul (Christy), David (Debra), Joanna (LaMar) Salley, and Aaron (Belinda); grandchildren Christopher (Christie), Andrew (Miranda), Kevin (Stephanie) Salley, Abigail, Matthew (Kayla) Salley, Eleanor (Blake) Bengtson, Caleb, Alexa Salley, Paige, Hannah, Caitlyn, and Gabriel; great grandchildren Courtney and Chloe, Aiden, Amelia and Ainsley, and Elena Salley; as well as her treasured siblings Ginger, Linda, John, and David. She also leaves behind countless friends.

There will be a Gathering of Family & Friends on Friday, May 31, at 1:00 PM at Victory Baptist Church with a Celebration of Life immediately following at 3:00 PM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations to World Vision at https://mycause.worldvision.org/campaign/Ruth-Knudson

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Knudson family at www.HermitageFH.com.