Ruth Evelyn (Nelson) Anderson, age 84 of Elburn, passed away peacefully at her home, late Thursday afternoon, November 17, 2005. With faith and courage that so characterized her life, Ruth "fought the good fight" to the very end. Her loving family, ever by her side, walked hand-in-hand through the "valley" to the very gates of heaven. Ruth was born March 1, 1921 in Geneva, IL, the daughter of David Alfin Bernhardt and Julia Florence Alvida (Benson) Nelson. She lived on Jackson St. in Batavia until age three when her father went into farming and the family moved to the Bateman farm, near Kaneville. Ruth was seven when they moved to the Benton farm off Lorang & Seavey Rds. She attended the Mud Island Country School and later the Kaneville High School She walked the two miles to Kaneville and often roller skated part way home on Main Street Rd. When she was a senior in high school her family moved to Lily Lake, but Ruth lived with the Benton family until she graduated with the class of 1939. Like many others of her generation, she met Al Anderson at a dance at Long’s Barn. They were wed at her parents home on January 20, 1940 and moved into a second floor apartment on south Main Street in Elburn where their first son, Darrell, was born. They lived in Lily Lake for two years before moving to Batavia to her grandfather’s farm, where Gene was born. In 1946, they moved to the present home in Elburn where the rest of their family came into this world. Ruth was a Den Mother when her boys were in scouts and somehow found time to volunteer at the former Community Hospital in Geneva. As the family grew up, she worked at the Kaneland school cafeterias. Ruth was also a faithful caregiver throughout her lifetime, giving her time and unlimited care to her grandfather and a host of relatives, including: "Uncle Ole", Uncle Norman Benson and Wendal, Kenneth and Melvin Johnson. Later, she opened her home again to care for her brother-in-law, Scott, and mother-in-law, Grace, and lastly, Al, her husband of sixty years. The Anderson home was always full of friends, fun, plenty of food and music! Ruth played piano and her daughters learned four-part harmony. Together, her daughters continue the music, barbershop style as "Family Tradition". Ruth’s life revolved around her family and wherever they were, whatever they were doing, she was there, on the sidelines, supporting every endeavor. Quiet, self effacing, yet strong and true, Ruth was the heart of the family and always will be. She was a member of the Community Congregational Church since 1940 and active in the church Guild, 5C’s and Evening Circle. She was also a member of the Kane County Home Extension, the Quivera Club and enjoyed playing cards in Bridge and Five Hundred clubs. She is survived by: Eight children:Darrell (Deb) Anderson of White Lake, MI,Gene (Brenda) Anderson of Elburn,Sheila (Robert ) Gee of ElburnDavid (Georgeann) Anderson of Winfield, ILLoanne (Keith) Weller of New Palestine, IN,Ione Dorneden of Elburn,Twyla (Leland) Strom of Lily Lake, ILGrace (David ) Dredge of Troxel, ILTwenty grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildrenDenise (Jeff) Harrison [Caleb, Renae]Brett (Jane) Anderson [Mark, Patrick, Emily & Joel]Dale (Barbara) Anderson [Devon, Chase, Kylie]Stephanie (Rob) StevensonBrock HallBrian (Sandy) Hall[Michael and a baby due in December]Krista, Heidi [Brooklyn Worth] & Erik AndersonDean (Jennie) WellerElaine & Paul WellerFranklin & Jackelyn DornedenDerek (Kimberly) StromAmber & Tyler StromRobert, Amy & Daniel Dredge1 brother, Donald Nelson of Oregon, WI1 sister-in-law, Shirley Nelson of Rochelle, ILMany nieces and nephewsShe is preceded by: Her parents,Her husband, Alfred andOne brother, Norman NelsonSERVICES:Visitation will be held Monday, November 21, 2005 from 3-8pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., ElburnFuneral services will be held Tuesday, November 22, 10:30am at the Community Congregational Church, 100 Shannon St., Elburn.The Rev. Katherine Lawes will officiate and interment will follow at Blackberry Cemetery, Elburn. MEMORIALSA memorial has been established in her name. Checks may be made to the Ruth Anderson Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and remembrances may be forwarded to the family through the same address or on-line, through Ruth’s obituary at www.conleycare.com. Information 1-800-8-CONLEY.

Ruth Evelyn (Nelson) Anderson, age 84 of Elburn, passed away peacefully at her home, late Thursday afternoon, November 17, 2005. With faith and courage that so characterized her life, Ruth "fought the good fight" to the very end. Her loving family, ever by her side, walked hand-in-hand through the "valley" to the very gates of heaven. Ruth was born March 1, 1921 in Geneva, IL, the daughter of David Alfin Bernhardt and Julia Florence Alvida (Benson) Nelson. She lived on Jackson St. in Batavia until age three when her father went into farming and the family moved to the Bateman farm, near Kaneville. Ruth was seven when they moved to the Benton farm off Lorang & Seavey Rds. She attended the Mud Island Country School and later the Kaneville High School She walked the two miles to Kaneville and often roller skated part way home on Main Street Rd. When she was a senior in high school her family moved to Lily Lake, but Ruth lived with the Benton family until she graduated with the class of 1939. Like many others of her generation, she met Al Anderson at a dance at Long’s Barn. They were wed at her parents home on January 20, 1940 and moved into a second floor apartment on south Main Street in Elburn where their first son, Darrell, was born. They lived in Lily Lake for two years before moving to Batavia to her grandfather’s farm, where Gene was born. In 1946, they moved to the present home in Elburn where the rest of their family came into this world. Ruth was a Den Mother when her boys were in scouts and somehow found time to volunteer at the former Community Hospital in Geneva. As the family grew up, she worked at the Kaneland school cafeterias. Ruth was also a faithful caregiver throughout her lifetime, giving her time and unlimited care to her grandfather and a host of relatives, including: "Uncle Ole", Uncle Norman Benson and Wendal, Kenneth and Melvin Johnson. Later, she opened her home again to care for her brother-in-law, Scott, and mother-in-law, Grace, and lastly, Al, her husband of sixty years. The Anderson home was always full of friends, fun, plenty of food and music! Ruth played piano and her daughters learned four-part harmony. Together, her daughters continue the music, barbershop style as "Family Tradition". Ruth’s life revolved around her family and wherever they were, whatever they were doing, she was there, on the sidelines, supporting every endeavor. Quiet, self effacing, yet strong and true, Ruth was the heart of the family and always will be. She was a member of the Community Congregational Church since 1940 and active in the church Guild, 5C’s and Evening Circle. She was also a member of the Kane County Home Extension, the Quivera Club and enjoyed playing cards in Bridge and Five Hundred clubs. She is survived byEight children:Darrell (Deb) Anderson of White Lake, MI,;Gene (Brenda) Anderson of Elburn;Sheila (Robert ) Gee of Elburn;David (Georgeann) Anderson of Winfield, IL;Loanne (Keith) Weller of New Palestine, IN;Ione Dorneden of Elburn;Twyla (Leland) Strom of Lily Lake, IL;Grace (David ) Dredge of Troxel, IL;Twenty grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren;Denise (Jeff) Harrison [Caleb, Renae];Brett (Jane) Anderson [Mark, Patrick, Emily & Joel];Dale (Barbara) Anderson [Devon, Chase, Kylie];Stephanie (Rob) StevensonBrock Hall;Brian (Sandy) Hall[Michael and a baby due in December];Krista, Heidi [Brooklyn Worth] & Erik Anderson;Dean (Jennie) Weller;Elaine & Paul Weller;Franklin & Jackelyn Dorneden;Derek (Kimberly) Strom;Amber & Tyler Strom;Robert, Amy & Daniel Dredge;1 brother, Donald Nelson of Oregon, WI;1 sister-in-law, Shirley Nelson of Rochelle, IL;Many nieces and nephews;She is preceded by: Her parents,Her husband, Alfred andOne brother, Norman NelsonSERVICES:Visitation will be held Monday, November 21, 2005 from 3-8pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., ElburnFuneral services will be held Tuesday, November 22, 10:30am at the Community Congregational Church, 100 Shannon St., Elburn.The Rev. Katherine Lawes will officiate and interment will follow at Blackberry Cemetery, Elburn. MEMORIALSA memorial has been established in her name. Checks may be made to the Ruth Anderson Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and remembrances may be forwarded to the family through the same address or on-line, through Ruth’s obituary at www.conleycare.com. Information 1-800-8-CONLEY.

Visitation Monday, November 21, 2005 from 3-8pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., ElburnFuneral services Tuesday, November 22, 10:30am at the Community Congregational Church, 100 Shannon St., Elburn.The Rev. Katherine Lawes will officiate.

MEMORIALSA memorial has been established in her name. Checks may be made to the Ruth Anderson Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and remembrances may be forwarded to the family through the same address or on-line, through Ruth’s obituary at www.conleycare.com. Information 1-800-8-CONLEY.