Ruth Snygg

Ruth (Cook) Snygg, 83 ROCKFORD - Ruth (Cook) Snygg, 83, of Rockford passed away Friday, May 6, 2011, while holding hands with her husband of 53 years. Born June 17, 1927, in Janesville, Wis. Ruth met Richard E. Snygg while working at National Lock Co.; they married June 23, 1958. Over the years, she worked at Parker Pen, National Lock, Rock River Towers and as a self-employed cleaning lady. Ruth went back to school and earned her GED from Rock Valley College at the age of 63. Though born of German and French descent, she took classes at Rock Valley College to learn to read and speak in Swedish upon graduation. Ruth translated numerous documents for families of Swedish decent. She is the beloved mother of Darrell (Debi) Snygg and Diana (Jeff) Williams; and grandmother to Brian, Scott, Seth and Hannah. She took great pride in her four grandchildren and looked forward to spending time with them and sharing stories as they grew into young adults. For more than 50 years, she was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, where she was married and baptized. Ruth was extremely involved in a variety of activities and organizations. She was an active member of John Erickson/Corona Lodge 23 for more than 50 years. She was a charter member of the Swedish Culture Society and long-time member of the Swedish Historical Society. Ruth served as the public relations officer for the Kishwaukee Genealogy Society and was a board member for the Winnebago Sight and Hearing Organization. Also a member of the Rockford Historical Society and Midway Village, an active supporter of Right to Life participating in several marches. As a cancer survivor, Ruth was active in the Saint Anthony Cancer Survivors Society. Although Ruth lacked cooking skills, she loved to feast on Swedish food, enjoying good food with family and friends. Ruth desired to be outdoors and loved flowers, birds and fishing. She spent many years enjoying time with family and friends at her cottage on Clear Lake, Milton, Wis. During Ruth's life, she was blessed with endless experiences but never learned to drive. Although her husband and brothers made several unsuccessful attempts, giving up after she drove on the wrong side of the road, hit a tree and drove off a bridge. These adventures made her destined to be a passenger. Ruth's childhood was difficult as she grew up and lived in numerous foster homes and foster farms. She moved from Janesville, Wis., to Rockford in 1954, living at the Girls Residence until marrying in 1958. Ruth and Richard were foster parents for an infant girl before having their own children. She greatly loved her children and was very involved in their actives. She was a den mother for Pack 387 and served as a room mother. She always looked forward to attending her children's activities. Ruth loved everyone she met and was always cheerful with a kind word. She spent her final year at St. Anne Provena Nursing Home and had many special relationships with the staff and residences. She is survived by her husband, Richard; children, Darrell (Debi) Snygg and Diana (Jeff) Williams; brother, Howard; sister, Dorothy (Ray) Erb; grandchildren, Brian, Scott, Seth and Hannah; sister-in-law, Dorothy Cook; numerous nieces and nephews, including several originally from Rockford, Debbie (Bill) Oliver, Mark Snygg, Valerie Loy, Cindy (Ashoka) Bhargave, Rhonda Nelson and Kathy Snygg; also great-nieces and great-nephews. Ruth is predeceased by her brothers, Raymond Jr. (Evelyn), Charlie, John, Robert, Lyle, Lawrence and Roy; sister, Joan Kerl; brother-in-law, Robert "Lavern" Snygg; sisters-in-law, Lillian Snygg and Eunice Cook. Service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 11, in Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 Third Ave., with the Rev. Sandi Olson Decker officiating. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, in Olson Funeral & Cremation Services Ltd., Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Ave. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Provena St. Anne Center, 4405 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL 61107; or Heartland Hospice, 6885 Vista Green Way, Unit C, Rockford, IL 61107. To share a memory or condolence, visit olsonfh.com.