Born in northwestern England, Beryl Kathleen Ringgenberg passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 26.  Schooled in England, Beryl joined the Royal Air Force as a W.A.A.F. (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force) during WWII.  Always ready for a new experience, she volunteered for placement at nine different airbases during her tenure in the service as a teleprinter operator.  During the war, she met an American serviceman who was her first love.  He was killed before he knew he was to be a father to their child, Michael Channing.  Beryl moved to the United States where she met her lifelong partner, Harold William (Bill) Ringgenberg.  Together they raised five children and celebrated fifty years of marriage. 

During her life, Beryl was a caregiver to other children in addition to her own, a nurse’s aide at Emanuel Hospital, and an evaluator of records at CSU Stanislaus.  After retirement, she went back to CSUS as a student and earned her degree in Art.  She loved the experience of learning among students who were 30 to 40 years younger than herself.

Beryl was a strong, independent woman who loved her family, doted over her grandchildren, spent countless hours in her garden, painted, sculpted, knitted, had a large circle of friends she adored, and loved her pets—especially her cats.

She was the devoted mother of the late Michael Channing (Sheri), Cynthia (Robert), Valerie (Jim), Barbara (Steve) and Paul.  She is survived by ten grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity in remembrance of Beryl.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 3 at 2:00 pm at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd.