Ruth Eileen Eklof

1927 - 2022

Ruth Eileen Eklof
Born: October 19, 1927 in Bureau Junction, IL
Died: August 3, 2022 in Princeton, IL
Princeton – Ruth Eileen Eklof, 94, of Princeton, IL passed away on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at OSF St. Clare Medical Center in Princeton, IL surrounded by her loving family.
Ruth was born on October 19, 1927 in Davis Junction, IL. to the late Ben and Ida (Nielsen) Benson. Ruth was the youngest, and last living, of eight children.
She was a graduate of Richmond High School, Richmond, IL and attended Carthage college in Carthage, IL, where she met and married the late Reverend C. Carl Eklof on December 31, 1947.
Ruth and Carl moved to Princeton in 1972, when Reverend C. Carl Eklof became the pastor of First Lutheran Church in Princeton. Ruth worked at the First State Bank of Princeton for many years before retiring in 1990.
As an active member of the First Lutheran, Ruth enjoyed singing in the church choir, LCW, and all aspects of being a pastor's wife. She was a member of Home Extension for 43 years and volunteered for many years with Meals on Wheels.
Camping throughout the United States was always a big part of her life. After retirement, Alaska became a favorite vacation destination for her and her husband. She found great joy in baking Swedish coffee cake, antiquing and feeding the birds and squirrels in their back yard.
Ruth became a resident of Greenfield Retirement Home in 2011, where she enjoyed long-lasting friendships, a good slice of pie and showing her competitive side by playing Bingo. She was happy to have many visits from her loved ones, friends and church members while there.
Her recent cherished moments were playing Uno with her grandson Ian and video chatting with her granddaughter Kyle and her husband Jack, who live in North Carolina.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Shari Eklof, granddaughter, Kyle (Jack) Watkins, grandsons, Ian Eklof and Aleksandr O'Brien, Son In Law, Dennis O'Brien.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Ida Benson, her husband, Reverend C. Carl Eklof, daughter, Melanie Eklof, five brothers and two sisters.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for charitable distribution.
A memorial service celebrating her life will take place at First Lutheran church Princeton, IL on Saturday October 8, 2022. Visitation 10:30 a.m. Service 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Shields officiating. Lunch at the church following service.
Online memorials and condolences may be directed to www.norbergfh.com
Arrangements by Norberg Memorial Home, Inc. & Monuments.