Ruth Ann Mogelnicki

Born on July 2, 1939 to Anton James Kvapil and Lavonna Grace, Ruth Ann grewup in Three Oaks, Michigan with her sisters, Barbara and Nancy, in a home builtby their father. Her passion to farm this new property with her father led to herlove of fresh sweet corn, beets and tomatoes.

Ruth Ann faithfully attended the Three Oaks Church of Christ where she earneda perfect attendance pin. She loved listening to her father play church music onhis accordion and eventually found the same joy and inspiration in the musicand sermons at Mt. Paran Church. She took the Christian creed to heart, asseen in her compassion, kindness, and desire to help the less fortunate.

A gifted student, Ruth Ann excelled at Three Oaks High School where she was acheerleader, debater, student government leader, and valedictorian of her class.During her senior year in high school, Ruth Ann was crowned Miss Three Oaksbefore earning the regional title of Miss Blossom Time Queen.

She went on to attend Western Michigan University, where she earned her BA inSpeech and English. She graced the cover of WMU magazine and was dubbed“Beauty and Brains” after winning several national awards on the WMU debateteam. She loved her work as a resident advisor in the dorms and was a proudsister of Alpha Chi Omega.

Following her graduation in 1961, Ruth Ann (known as Randy) pursued her MAin Speech at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. On campus, she caughtthe eye of Stanley Mogelnicki—the “music man” who knew he wanted to marryher almost immediately upon meeting her. Ruth Ann was dedicated to herstudies and pursuing a career but agreed to a few dates because he was “thesmartest man” she had ever met.

They married in 1963, and in 1964 welcomed the first of their six children theywould have over the next nine years. Ruth Ann made the extraordinary decisionto set aside her pursuit of a PhD in Speech and Debate from NorthwesternUniversity to fully devote herself to motherhood, pouring her heart and energyinto rearing her children. In addition, Ruth Ann managed 50 apartments whileencouraging and supporting Stanley to earn a PhD in pharmacology followed byan MD degree.

In 1975, when the family moved to Atlanta, Randy, at 40 years old, blossomedfrom a beginner C level tennis player to the top AA division of Atlanta’s ALTAleague. She played successfully against younger players with her strategicangles and lob game — becoming known as the clever, competitive “old lady”who never missed a shot.

As a passionate and dedicated community volunteer, Randy joined the StJoseph’s Hospital WINGS group. She served as co-chair for the hospital ball,helped on the annual golf tournament, and brought joy to hospital staff byspearheading "Appreciation Day," where hundreds of baskets filled withhomemade goodies were delivered across various departments of the hospital.She was affectionately known as “the grape lady” for her purple ballooncostume she wore during the hospital’s annual Wine Festival fundraiser event.Her ideas were a reflection of her creative spirit and sense of humor. She washonored to receive the WINGS Award for her commitment and dedication toWorkers Involved in New Growth for St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Randy had a remarkable talent for transforming the ordinary into somethingbeautiful. She developed a deep passion for gardening and created aspectacular backyard paradise. Over the years, Randy and Stanley pouredcountless hours of love into their property planting many varieties of hydrangeaswhich earned them an invitation to be on the American Hydrangea Society tourof gardens. In addition, Randy’s garden and home were furnished with uniquetreasures found throughout years of antique hunting and going to estate sales.She found a way to use her finds to make her garden and house a reflection ofher spirit: vibrant, warm, and welcoming.

Christmas was her favorite time of year, and together, Randy and Stanleyopened their home to friends, family, and neighbors to share the love and magicof the holiday season. Randy greeted guests while Stanley entertained at thepiano. Many talked for days about the legendary dessert table, the holidaydecorations displayed in each room of their home, and the sounds and spirit ofthe season that filled the home and warmed hearts.

Later in life, Randy loved nothing more than watching and listening to Stanleyplay the piano from memory. Her face would light up as he sang and performedfor her. She enjoyed summer trips to Michigan, where extended familiesgathered for laughter, stories, games, hot air balloon chases, fireworks, Drier’sbologna, and fresh Michigan corn, cherries and blueberries. Randy lovedreconnecting with the place and people who shaped her. She also enjoyedvacations with their children and grandchildren to Hilton Head, Colorado, andNaples, Florida. Randy’s energy was infectious; she boogie-boarded with hergrandkids, biked the beach paths, and led marathon card games.

Ruth Ann lived a life filled with purpose, beauty and grace. She was a giver oftime, talent, ideas, and financial support. She was a devoted wife, mother,grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. Her husband, children andgrandchildren were the true loves of her life, and Ruth Ann poured every ounceof her love teaching them to be compassionate, well-rounded, and principled.She encouraged music lessons, athletics, volunteerism, foreign language, andchurch attendance. Every person she touched was made better by knowing her.Ruth Ann’s special spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. “Herchildren rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” –Proverbs 31:28.

Ruth Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Lavonna Kvapil, herin-laws Stanley and Margaret Mogelnicki, her nephew Michael Schwark andmost recently her sister Nancy who passed away on August 13, 2025.She is survived by her husband Dr. Stanley Mogelnicki Sr.,and her six children:Melissa Bowerman, Mishana, Mitrina, Stanley Jr., MD (Dena), Meisha (John)Carey, and Mecolle. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren: Dr. Brielle(JB) Bowerman Gough, Brenden Bowerman, Griffin Moon, Grant and GracelynMogelnicki, Alexandra, Andrew, Anderson, and Adler Carey.She is also survived by her sister Barbara (John) Schwark of Battle Creek,Michigan, brother-in-law David Perkins, Sr of Grand Rapids, Michigan and andbrother-in-law John (Marge) Mogelnicki of Brighton, Michigan and many belovednieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life service will be held @2pm on Saturday, November 1 in the Chapel of Mt Paran Church of God, 2055 Mt Paran Rd, Atlanta, Ga 30327.

Her final resting place will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Three Oaks, Michigan.In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to :

Three Oaks Church of Christ305 North Elm StThree Oaks Mi. 49128Attn. Willette Fleischman, TreasurerIn memo write memorial contribution forRuth Ann Kvapil Mogelnicki

Atlanta Botanical Gardens1345 Piedmont Ave NEAtlanta, GA 30309Attn Development Department note memorial gift for Ruth Ann Mogelnicki

Mount Paran Churchapp.easytithe.comSelect Give Now, then One time gift, below one time gift select church ministries, below that innote enter Music Ministry in memory of Randy Mogelnicki

Celebration of Life will be announced soon.