Irene Ruiz

Irene Ruiz, 66, of Topeka, died May 20, 2017 at Oakley Place.

She was born in Topeka, Kansas on March 12, 1951, the daughter of Lee and Mary (Guerrero) Valdez.

Irene was a 1969 graduate of Highland Park High School. She was employed by Hallmark Cards as a machine operator until her retirement.

Irene loved music, sewing, doing crafts and working in her rock garden.

She married Michael Ruiz in Topeka in 1975. He survives of the home. She is also survived by three sons, Michael Lee Valdez of Topeka, Angelo Michael Ruiz of Lawrence, Raphael Valdez Ruiz of Topeka, a granddaughter, Halie Love Bouton of Silver Lake, and her siblings; Ignacio Valdez of California, Eleanor Valdez of Topeka, Larry Valdez of Hoyt, Sarah Ruiz of Topeka, Joann Toledo of Mayetta and Lee Valdez Jr. of Topeka.

Irene will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Tuesday after 2:00 p.m. where the family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the American Diabetes Association and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603.

Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.