County of tree: Franklin County
Location of tree: Grand Ave., Tree Walk in Lions Lake Park, Washington
Plaqque Text:
In Memory of
BILL AND RUTHIE
SULLENTRUP
"William J. Sullentrup III, 81, Washington, passed away Friday, June 20, 2014.
"William, son of the late William Sullentrup Jr. and wife Olivia, neeBoeckmann/ Straatmann, was born Dec. 28, 1932, in Washington. Bill was loved his whole life and was considered a character by everyone who knew him. He graduated from St. Francis Borgia High School in 1950 and became a meat cutter at Droege's Super Market before proudly serving our country as a baker with the U.S. Army in Germany. Before he went overseas, he fell completely in love with Ruth Marie Eckelkamp, married her, and formed a bond that lasted 62 years.
"Bill considered his life purpose to bring joy to people. He thought a joke could make anyone's day and did his best to make that happen as often as possible. His professional career revolved around cost accounting-engineering work for local manufacturers: Zero, Washington Metal Fabricators, SKF and Clemco. He continued his education at Ranken Trade School and Washington University. He was a member of St. Francis Borgia Parish, the notorious Borgia Choir, Knights of Columbus, VFW Post 2661, and the American Legion. One of the highlights of his life was taking the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. He served on the city of Washington Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment. He was an active member of the Borgia Athletic Association, the Monday/Thursday Parish Volunteers, various finance committees and task forces, and for years, was a leading fund-raiser for the United Way Campaign. He was a scrappy baseball and basketball player who competed beyond his size and forged a group of friendships he cherished his whole life. He gladly lost golf balls and poker money with those guys on a regular basis.
"He is survived by his wife Ruthie; five of their six children, Barb Boudreau and husband Gerry, Greg Sullentrup and wife Mary, Mary Jo Sullentrup, Larry Sullentrup and wife Sally, and Gwen Mauntel and husband Tim; one sister, Marylou Storment; his close friends and their wives, Joe Borgerding, Nicey Eckelkamp, Mickey and Smiley Holtmeier and Mrs. Murphy, who will live forever. He was lovingly known as Gramps to Carrie Mirth and husband Jeremy, Tom Boudreau, Paul Boudreau and wife Katie, Erin Sullentrup, Zach Sullentrup, Matt Sullentrup, Jeremy Sullentrup and wife Leah, Jane Stanley and husband James, Chris Hanneken and wife Jamie, Brad Hanneken and wife Ellen, Gwen Hanneken, Eric Sullentrup, Tanner Bainbridge, Trey Bainbridge, Kelly Mauntel, John Mauntel, and Ray Mauntel; and 16 great-grandkids.
"He was preceded in death by his parents, William Sullentrup Jr. and Olivia Straatmann; one son, Mike Sullentrup; his parents-in-law, Lawrence and wife Caroline Eckelkamp; one brother, Bob Sullentrup; his in-laws, those he considered brothers and sisters, Maurice and Bert Eckelkamp, Rusty Borgerding, Sal and Margie Jasper, Ray and Dorothy Jasper, and Les Eckelkamp.
"Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 22, in the second floor gathering area at Jesuit Hall on the Borgia parish campus at the corner of Main and Cedar streets. A memorial Mass was held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 23, at St. Francis Borgia Church, Washington.
"Memorials may be given to SFB Regional High School, 1000 Borgia Drive, Washington, MO 63090, Attention: Advancement Office.
"The Sullentrup family was served by Oltmann Funeral Home, Washington." ~ Published in The Missourian on June 25, 2014
"Ruth Marie Sullentrup, nee Eckelkamp, 83, Washington, died peacefully Monday, Feb. 1, 2016.
"Ruthie was a perpetually happy soul with a radiant smile who loved her hometown, Washington. She was born Sept. 29, 1932, to Lawrence and Caroline, nee Ballman, Eckelkamp. She graduated from St. Francis Borgia High School in 1950, and worked several jobs over her life, including Brown Shoe Company, Magnet, the Missourian and Altemuellers Jewelry Store, but her favorite, yet least profitable one, was being a mother. She was later promoted to Granny, and then Great-Granny. Sometime in her teenage years, she fell completely in love with the funny, athletic Bill Sullentrup, married him, and formed a bond that lasted 62 years. A little part of her died when he passed away 18 months ago.
"Ruthie is survived by five of their six children, Barb (Gerry) Boudreau, Greg (Mary), Jo (Tom Sparks), Larry (Sally) and Gwen (Tim) Mauntel. She was so proud of the kids they raised to be responsible and kind adults and the families they created. She was a deeply faithful member of St. Francis Borgia Parish and a volunteer at Encore, and shared her alto voice with the notorious Borgia Choir and the Combined Christian Choir. Ruthie was a cheerleader in high school and never stopped cheering for Borgia. If she couldn't make it to a game, especially football and basketball, you'd find her by a radio listening to the entire game. She made more coffee cakes than anyone could count and shared them generously with the people she cared about. She spent many hours at her sewing machine and turned out dozens of denim, patchwork quilts. Christmas was her favorite season, maybe because it amped up her joyful heart and her spirit of giving.
"Ruthie is also survived by a great group of friends, including her lifetime BFF, Marion McDonald; her sister, Mickey (Smiley) Holtmeier; and her in-laws, Mary Lou Storment and Joe Borgerding. She was lovingly known as Granny to Carrie (Jeremy) Mirth, Tom (Jen) Boudreau, Paul (Katie) Boudreau, Erin Sullentrup, Zach Sullentrup, Matt Sullentrup, Jeremy (Leah) Sullentrup, Jane (James) Stanley, Chris (Jamie) Hanneken, Brad (Ellen) Hanneken, Gwen Hanneken, Eric Sullentrup, Tanner Bainbridge, Trey Bainbridge, Kelly Mauntel, John Mauntel, Ray Mauntel; and 16 great-grandkids.
"She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Mike; most of her brothers and sisters, Maurice and Bert Eckelkamp, Margie and Sal Jasper, Rusty Borgerding, Dorothy and Ray Jasper, Les and Nicey Eckelkamp; and her in-laws, William II and Olivia Sullentrup, and Bob and Betty Sullentrup.
"She was very proud of her 34 nieces and nephews and their families, and with each addition, never forgot anyone's name.
"The Sullentrup family welcomed visitors from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at Oltmann Funeral Home, Washington.
"A memorial Mass was held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at St. Francis Borgia Church, Washington.
"To honor her lifelong love of reading and children, the family would appreciate memorial donations to the library at St. Francis Borgia Grade School.
"The Sullentrup family was served by Oltmann Funeral Home, Washington." ~ Published in The Missourian on Feb. 10, 2016