Ruth Christine “Ruthie” Bently of rural Waseca died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, at Hillcrest Health Care Center in Mankato after an eight-month battle with cancer.

Ruthie was born July 27, 1955, in Chicago to John N. and Gladys R. Bently. She graduated from Deerfield High School in 1973.

On July 25, 1981, at Zion Lutheran Church of Deerfield, Ill., she married H. Clayton Summers of Conway, Pa. The couple divorced in 1988.

Throughout her life, Ruthie was a knowledgeable and compassionate advocate for animals and animal rights; she held a number of jobs in the pet care industry, including managing the pet department at Chalet Nursery in Wilmette, Ill., and being on the writing team for various animal care broadcasts and online advice columns. She also worked for some local businesses including Young America Keying and Duct Doctor Ltd. of rural New Richland.

Ruthie is survived by her mother, Gladys Bently, of Gurnee, Ill.; her father, John N. Bently, and his wife, Gloria, of Highwood, Ill.; her sister, Jean Bently-Jones, of Elroy, Wis.; her sister and brother-in-law Joan and Dan Fletcher of Green Oaks, Ill.; her brother and sister-in-law John F. and Deb Bently of rural New Richland; and one stepsister, Marikay, and Tom VanderVen of Athens, Ohio. She is also survived by six nephews, two nieces, one grandnephew and one grandniece.

There was a memorial service for Ruthie at 2 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 31184 West Wilton River Rd. in Waseca. The church is south of Waseca in Wilton Township.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Mending Spirits Animal Rescue in Mankato, Save-A-Pet in Grayslake, Ill., or the Humane Society chapter of your choice. Ruthie was a strong believer in no-kill shelters and felt that every animal should have a good home.