RUTH A. ITTEL (nee Vician), age 85, of Hobart, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2023. She was born on November 10, 1937 in East Chicago, to the late John and Ann Vician. Ruth grew up in Gary, where she played tennis at Gleason Park, and was a 1955 graduate of Tolleston High School. She met her husband of 53 years, Donald, on a blind date. Ruth was an associate broker at Ittel Realty and Insurance of Hobart for many years and then went on to work for Century 21 and Ginter. Ruth was known for making her clients and prospective buyers her homemade carrot cake that she made from scratch.  She was a longtime, faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She belonged to Tri Kappa, where for many years she would make candles, ornaments and cookies for the annual Christmas Bazaar. In her younger years, Ruth was active in the Jayshees and even landed the starring role as Mary Poppins in a production at the Art Theater. She also loved to snow and water ski and had a passion for flowers and gardening. She also loved to travel and visited many of the states and also vacationed in Cuba, London, Hawaii and Venezuela. She spent many years as a member of the Hobart Kiwanis, St. Mary Medical Center Auxiliary, and Goldwing Road Riders Association. Not only did she volunteer, but she was always very generous with her charitable contributions to her favorite charities, including PBS WTTW 11, where she made her television debut.  Ruth was a very social, active lady who enjoyed exercising at the Maria Reiner Center, where she was a member and volunteer. She could always be found cheering on the Hobart Brickies Football, Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs, who she was lucky enough to see win the 2016 World Series. Ruth loved music, especially Neil Diamond, Elvis and the Beatles. Ruth was an extremely kind person who will be remembered for her very generous spirit.

Ruth is survived by her loving children, Kurt J. (David Vazquez) Ittel of Thorntown and Kathy A. Oswalt of Hobart; grandson, Jerry D. Oswalt III, of Chicago; sister, Joan M. (Erv) Murray of Crown Point; and several other loving family members and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald J. Ittel; son, Mark J. Ittel; sister, Joyce Rogers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society of Hobart, https://www.hshobart.org .

Funeral services for Ruth will be Friday, January 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel. At rest Evergreen Memorial Park.  Visitation will be Thursday, January 19, 2023  from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel. (219) 942-2109.  Please go to www.reesfuneralhomes.com to extend an online condolence.