STERLING – Ruth M. McKee, 93, of Sterling, passed away peacefully, Sunday, March 13, 2011, at her home at Heritage Woods.
Ruth was born July 12, 1917, in Sterling, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Gaffey) Lendman. She married Gordon D. McKee on May 20, 1939.
Ruth attended St. Mary Grade School, and Community Catholic High School, graduating in 1935. She then attended the one-year college business course at Community Catholic High School. Upon completion, she went to work in the office at National Manufacturing until her marriage. After raising her family, she went back to work for Jim McMurry State Farm Insurance, where she worked for many years, retiring in 1982.
Ruth was a very faith-filled woman and strong supporter of Catholic education. She was actively involved in her parish, where she served as a lector; was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society and the National Catholic Society of Foresters; and volunteered her time at the parish center, and Newman High School, in the development office.
Survivors include four sons, Dick of Rock Falls, Ted (Reta) of Morrison, Kevin (Gabby Snyder) of Hendersonville, N.C., and Michael of Sterling; five daughters, Sharon (Doug Marcelini) Fuglestad of Greenfield, Wis., Kathleen (Ed) Brenner of Orlando, Fla., Colleen (Ann Marie Stanczyk) Sterling of Blairsville, Ga., and Maureen (Raul Rodriguez) and Jeannie (Ed) Ramos, both of Sterling; one son-in-law, Larry Marrs of Washington, Mo.; 19 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty Arnold of Peoria; two brothers, Joe Lendman of Dixon and John “Butch” Lendman of Sterling; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon; her daughter, Eileen Marrs; one granddaughter, Amanda Tope; her parents; and six brothers, Leonard, Jim, Bob, Tom, Fred, and Bill.
Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary Catholic Church, Sterling, with the Rev. Donald Ahles officiating.
Private burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., with the rosary recited at 3:45 p.m., Wednesday at McDonald Funeral Home, 1002 12th Ave., Rock Falls.
Memorials have been established to St. Mary Grade School and Newman High School, both in Sterling.