Thomas and Ruth (Kjarsgaard) WhalenDecorated WW11 Veteran and Homemaker Active in Local ChurchNewton MA, Thomas E Whalen of Newton Upper Falls died on Friday, March 7 at the Metro West Medical Center in Natick. His wife Ruth Genevieve (Kjarsgaard) Whalen died on Tuesday March 11 at the Newton Wellesley Hospital in Newton. Both were 86 years of age.Born in Boston, Mr. Whalen was the son of the late Patrick and Margaret (Cassin) Whalen who emigrated from Ireland to Charlestown. Born in Boston, Mr. Whalen was a veteran of WW11 and served in the U.S. Army, 76th Division in Military campaigns in Ardennes, the Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded the Bronze Star, a Combat Infantry Badge, and the Purple Heart with one Cluster. Following the war he took a position as a letter carrier. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1980 after more than 30 years of faithful service.Mrs. Whalen was born in Lacrosse, WI and was the daughter of the late Louis and Bertha (Hoffman) Kjarsgaard. After WW11, she married Mr. Whalen and moved to the Boston area. The couple lived in Newton Upper Falls for 50 years.Mrs. Whalen served for many years as Sunday School superintendent at the second Baptist Church of Newton and was a member of the Women’s (STET) Club of Newton Highlands and the Christian Women’s club. She also taught an after school Bible Club at the church and was a substitute nursery school teacher at the Auburndale Community Nursery School for many years.Married for 57 years, the Whalen’s often traveled by car throughout the United States visiting Gardens and Historic sites. Until recently, they drove to a different city each year to participate in the 76th Infantry Division’s annual reunion, which Mr. Whalen actively supported. Both were devoted to their home and family and enjoyed their tomato and flower garden.They leave their three children, Dorothy Foster and her husband L. Hilton of Washington DC, Patricia A Whalen and her husband Stephen Hein of Newton and Edward M Whalen also of Newton. They were also survived by their two grandchildren Scott Whalen Foster and Janet Maria Foster both of Washington and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services on Tuesday March 18th at 10:00 AM at the Second Baptist Church of Newton, 65 Ellis St. Newton Upper Falls. Burial at the Ma National Cemetery in Bourne. Memorials may be made in Thomas’s and Ruth’s memory to the memory of Frank and Charlotte Mecklenburg c/o Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando Fl 32862. Arrangements be the Eaton Funeral Home of Needham