Ruth Krieghbaum

Ruth E. Krieghbaum, age 81, of Sugar Grove, passed away Sunday, July 30, 2006, at the Rush Copley Hospital, Aurora after a long and courageous battle with failing health.She was born September 5, 1924, at Cylinder, IA, the daughter of Andrew and Mayme (Cook) Nelson. In 1930, her family moved to Little Rock, IL, and later farmed on Wheeler Rd. They moved several more times before making their home on Scott Rd. near Sugar Grove. Ruth graduated from Sugar Grove High School with the class of 1942.Two years later, Ruth’s brother introduced her to Delmar Krieghbaum as they stood beneath a street light at Main St. & Maple St. in Sugar Grove. When they parted company that evening Ruth told her friend, Fayola Musser that she would one day marry Delmar. He later admitted that she had captured his heart with her first "hello". They were united in marriage on June 3, 1945, at the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church and set up housekeeping in an apartment just across the street from the street corner where they first met.Ruth worked for Barber Green until she learned that she was expecting their first child. Carol Ann was still born and Delmar and Ruth were stricken with grief. Complication of the birth nearly took Ruth’s life as well. They were dark and difficult days but faith and determination saw them through and a few years later they were blessed with a son, Ken and then daughters; Connie, Karen, Caroline and Karla. In 1946, Sugar Grove started their fire department and emergency "fire" phones were placed in four different places. The Kreighbaum apartment was one of those places. Later, it would be Delmar who was best known as fire chief, but it was Ruth who was the backbone of the family in so many ways while she served as phone and radio dispatcher for the fire department until 1971. In 1972, she also began serving as one of thirteen "Fire Gals" who manned the emergency equipment, especially during the daytime. They were the first women to serve as volunteer firefighters in the state of Illinois and one of only a few in the nation. Ruth worked at the Bank of Sugar Grove for a number of years.In 1980, Ruth was diagnosed with kidney failure and began a lengthy period of dialysis while she waited for her name to move up the list of patients waiting for transplants. In 1985, her waiting ended and she was blessed with a successful transplant which lasted well beyond the predicted years of survival. Ruth was one of the charter members of the Young Adult Club which later was known as the Community Club. They began the Sugar Grove Corn Boil and saw to it that street lamps were put in. She was a member of the Sugar Grove United Methodist Women and the Quilting Club where she made many craft items for the bazaars. In 2001, Ruth and Delmar were awarded the honor of Citizens of the Year.Ruth was a gentle, loving woman with extraordinary determination and will. Among the many things she was known for was her reputation as an excellent cook and baker, in particular she was known for making a delicious German chocolate cake. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who leaves for younger generations a legacy of caring, community involvement, a "never give up" example, and a trustful faith which saw her through so many difficult times. She is survived by her husband, Delmar of Sugar Grove; five children: Ken (Mary) Krieghbaum of Aurora, IL, Constance Bieritz of Sugar Grove, Karen (David) Proctor of Elburn, IL, Caroline (Verne) Bjornson of Maple Park, IL and Karla (Randy) Donais, also of Sugar Grove; 13 grandchildren: Kendra (John) Hiltenbrand, Delmar and Douglas Krieghbaum, Keith (Shauna) Gardner, Robert Bieritz, Crystal (John) Pavlak, Brett Proctor, Bridget (Michael) Toma, Jared Proctor and Melanie (Derek) Scawinski, Michelle (IV Robinson) Bjornson, Stacy (Gerald) Goggin and Alycia Donais; 7 great-grandchildren: Kenneth, Garrett and Catherine Hiltenbrand; Tanner Gardner, Tyler Proctor, Nathan Toma and Mikayla Goggin; one sister, Grace (Wayne) Olson of Oswego, IL and three sisters-in-law: Winona Nelson of Las Vegas, NV Berdena (Roy) Sorenson and Laverna (Robert) Grommes, both of Hinckley, IL; many nieces and nephews and a community of friends who hold dear the memory of Ruth Krieghbaum.She is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Mayme Nelson; her daughter, Carol Ann, in infancy; three brothers: Charles, Louis and Glenn Nelson as well as two siblings in infancy, William and baby boy Nelson; one half-brother, Tom and one half-sister, Esther.A memorial has been established in Ruth’s name to benefit local charities. Memorial checks may be made to the Ruth Krieghbaum Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through her obituary at www.conleycare.com.Arrangements were handled through the care of Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. For information or directions call 1-800-8CONLEY.

Her visitation will be held from 3-8 pm, on Thursday, August 3, 2006, at the F.O.P. Lodge on KeDeKa Road (1 mile north of Rte. 47 & Galena Blvd.), Sugar Grove. Her funeral service will be held Friday, August 4th at 10 am, at the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church. Pastor Steve Good will officiate

Interment at Sugar Grove Cemetery, Sugar Grove, Il