Ruth Ellen Waterman, age 68, of Wheaton  died Friday, January 22, 2021.

Ruth was born September 26, 1952 in Havre, Montana to Burton and Mariam Holmquist. She was the third of seven children and lived with her family on her grandfather Edward Newhall's wheat ranch near Loma until the fall of 1963 when they moved to Tulare, South Dakota. She graduated as the valedictorian from Tulare High School in 1970. She was an avid reader and loved to sew. She was a national merit scholar and earned an English degree from Wheaton College.

While at Wheaton College she met her husband Dale. They got married graduation weekend on June 1, 1974 and were married for 46 years. Ruth worked in an insurance office before being able to stay home with her three children. Later she worked part-time as a librarian and spent the last ten years caring for different children, most recently her own grand-kids.

Ruth's love for God was developed from an early age. She was known for her knowledge of God's Word, for breaking into songs of praise and praying for others. Ruth and Dale helped to plant Bloomingdale Church in 1978 and had front row seats to all God was doing. Over the years Ruth faithfully served in various roles: nursery, Sunday school teacher, worship team, day camp, Awana, Jr High Youth Group, missions committee and serving along with Dale as a shepherd couple. She loved studying God's Word and participating in Ladies Bible study as well as Bible Study Fellowship every week.

Ruth's home was often a gathering place for family get togethers and church events. Gardening and then quilting were favorite hobbies of hers and ways she blessed others with her talents. She liked to collect things: books, baskets and quilting material. She was a treasure trove of information and a wise counselor if you needed advice.

She faced hardships with a steadiness and trust in God, whether it was the loss of her son Keith to leukemia, the cancer Dale overcame or her own cancer diagnosis. The Bible verses and songs she learned as a child especially brought encouragement and comfort this past year. She believed that God loved her, that God was with her and that God was in control and she wanted others to know this too.

Ruth is survived by her husband Dale, daughter Annie (Erik) Larson, son Mark (Ashley) Waterman and grandkids Violet, Forrest and sibling #3 on the way.

Her three siblings: Mary (Gary) Stutte of St. Louis, MO, Margaret (Darch) Clampitt of Chicago, IL, and John (Deanna) Holmquist of Doland, SD; her sister-in-law: Elaine Holmquist of Kalispell, MT; her four brother-in-laws Ray (Cheryl) Waterman of Glen High Springs, FL, Gil (Cheryl) Waterman of Wheaton, IL, Doug (Nancy) Waterman of Wheaton, IL, and Randy (Debi) Waterman of Wheaton, IL and numerous nieces and nephews.

She has been preceded in death by her son Keith, parents Burton and Mariam Holmquist, brothers Ralph & Jim Holmquist and sister Jane Fernandez.

A worship service is scheduled for Saturday January 30th at 2pm at College Church in Wheaton, IL to celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). Click HERE to donate online.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.