Ruth Breunig

1923 - 2016

Ruth Mary Breunig, age 93, passed away on December 29, 2016, at her home in Sandwich, Illinois. She was born on July 28, 1923, at Sandwich Hospital, to parents John and Nora (Sherman) Regenhardt. She lived with them and her sister, Evelyn, and brother, Russell, in rural Sandwich until she was age 18. She graduated from Sandwich High School in 1941. After high school she attended Copley School of Nursing in Aurora, Illinois, graduating with a RN degree in 1944. Ruth worked as a nurse at several hospitals, including Sandwich Hospital, Copley Hospital, and other local hospitals. On April 2, 1949, she married Donald (Did) E. Breunig, of Somonauk, Illinois, at the Federated Church parsonage in Sandwich. They raised their three children, Doug, Diane, and Carla, in Sandwich. A lifelong resident of the community, Ruth was a full-time housewife and enjoyed raising her children. When their children were growing up, the family enjoyed summer vacations in Delavan and Hayward, Wisconsin, where family and friends joined them. Ruth contributed to the Sandwich community in numerous ways. A longtime member of the Federated Church, she served on the music committee, assisting with the annual Spaghetti Dinner for many years. She served on the Session for the church and was financial secretary. Ruth was active doing volunteer work for the Sandwich Hospital Auxiliary and was a volunteer in the Sandwich schools when her children were young. She was a member of P.E.O., Chapter F.O. PEO is a philanthropic organization committed to helping women realize their potential. Ruth loved traveling, both with her husband and with family and friends. Some of her favorite places were London, Paris, Egypt, the state of Israel, and Alaska. An avid reader, her favorite author was Charles Dickens. She loved his novels, especially A Tale of Two Cities. Novels from her bookshelf were continually on the move, as Ruth enjoyed sharing them with her friends and her children. Ruth was especially grateful for the caregivers who assisted in her home for more than 10 years: Olga Csiszer, Helen Shove, Irina Hart, and Sharon Swander. She was also very appreciative of the help that her children gave her in her later years. Ruth is survived by her son, Douglas Breunig (wife Martha) of Auburn, Maine; daughter Diane Freed (husband David) of Newburyport, Massachusetts; daughter Carla Breunig (partner Gail Lewellan) of St. Paul, Minnesota; grandson Andrew Freed (wife Cristin) and great granddaughter, Emerson Michelle Freed, of Wilmington, Massachusetts; sister Evelyn Schum of Naperville, Illinois; and first cousin Carolyn Fritsch (husband Bob) of Rockton, Illinois. Her parents, John and Nora Regenhardt; her husband, Donald; and her brother, Russell Regenhardt preceded her in death. Services will be held on Friday, January 6, at The Federated Church, 403 North Main Street in Sandwich, starting with visitation at 9:30 a.m. followed by a celebration of Ruth's life at 11 a.m. A luncheon will immediately follow the memorial at the church. Internment will take place at 2:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Sandwich. Please sign the online guestbook at www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com. A memorial fund has been established in Ruth's name. Donations may be made to The Federated Church, 403 North Main Street, or to the Open Door Rehabilitation Center, 405 Wells Street, both in Sandwich, Illinois, 60548. Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home at 606 E. Arnold Rd. in Sandwich, IL 60548 815-786-2165