Las Vegas, Nevada - Ruth Kettenring Fennel, 92, died January 13, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Born October 13, 1933, in Peoria, Illinois, to Russell and Velma Kettenring, she moved to Monroe, Louisiana, in 1942. She graduated from Neville High School in 1951 and earned her RN degree from the Charity Hospital School of Nursing in New Orleans in 1955.

Ruth worked for many years as a Registered Nurse at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, also serving in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 1958 to 1962 as a First Lieutenant and RN with the 159th Evacuation Hospital. She married Dr. Peter J. Fennel on New Year's Eve, 1965, and they moved to Las Vegas in 1966.

Baptized in 1944 at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Monroe, Ruth remained a devoted member of the church throughout her life and was named Elder Emeritus. In her leisure time, she enjoyed sewing and needlepoint and made clothing for her family. She and her husband were active for many years in the Las Vegas square and round dancing community and owned a store dedicated to the activity.

A lifelong animal advocate, Ruth showed Rottweilers, served on the Clark County Animal Advisory Board, and helped establish pet therapy services at University Medical Center in Las Vegas.

She was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by her son, Peter J. Fennel Jr.; her daughter, Tracy Fennel (Troy)Morris; and her granddaughter, Taylor.

A memorial service will be held on January 24 at 2PM at First Christian Church, 101 S. Rancho Dr., Las Vegas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the animal charity of one's choice.