Phyllis Ruter

PHYLLIS RUTER, 86 SHANNON - Phyllis Ruter, 86, of Shannon, Illinois passed away at home on Monday, February 2, 2015. Phyllis was born in Polo, Illinois on May 20, 1928, to parents Lester and Celia (Rae) Rothermel. She was a 1945 graduate of Polo High School. She married Hesper Ruter on January 11, 1947, in Polo, Illinois; he died April 26, 1997. They were engaged in farming and Phyllis was a wonderful farm wife and devoted Mother to Teresa, Tim and Julie. Phyllis had many hobbies which made her famous. She raised rare-breed chickens and made hats, shoes, and stationary with their feathers. Many couples loved the wedding cakes Phyllis created for them as well as cakes for any occasion. Phyllis was a member of the Freeport Garden Club where she gave many programs such as how to recyle farm items for interior decoration, like gears to make a candle holder. Phyllis played the violin, piano, organ and loved to collect cookbooks and read. Phyllis taught classes on cake decorating, candy making, dried flower arrangements, and candles. She loved to entertain and people loved coming to visit Ruter's Roost. In her day, she could wall-paper, paint, and make curtains with ease. She loved going to auctions and "picking up a deal". Phyllis was an exhibitor at the Carroll County Fair where she won many prizes and later was a judge for County Fairs. Phyllis visited Teresa and Julie in San Francisco over 80 times and toured the sights and enjoyed the restaurant scene. Phyllis traveled with her daughters to Arizona, Hawaii, Florida, Napa Valley, the Rose Bowl Parade and all over California. Phyllis loved her grand-children and how wonderful it was that she saw Chad Ruter win big on the Wheel of Fortune just a few days before her passing and that she danced at Chad & Ali's wedding in May. Her son, Tim was with Phyllis every day, taking her to the Shannon Café for lunch. Mom loved the farm and enjoyed every day watching Grandson Kyle work on the "homeplace". She was so proud that Tim and Kyle carried on the tradition of farming. Her great-grand-daughter, Kylee was the apple of her eye. Surviving are her 3 children, Teresa (Tom) Wentworth, Tim (Barb), Julie (Matt) Selby. Four grandchildren, Kyle (Nicole), Chad (Ali), Lauren and Andrea Selby; and great-grandchild, Kylee Ruter. Brothers Rae, Harlan, Delmar, Darrell Rothermel and sister Calista Hartman plus many neices and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Hesper; and one brother, Alan Rothermel. Phyllis was a 50 plus year member of the Bethel United Methodist Church where there will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, February 6th at 11 a.m. where the family will receive friends starting at 10 a.m. Her wish was to have a private burial at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL. A memorial fund has been established. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with her family at www.hermannfuneralhome.com.