Ruth Smith

Ruth Smith, 93, of Freeport, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026, surrounded by her loving family as well as her WinnPrairie family.

Ruth was born on September 26, 1932, in Macomb, Illinois, to her immigrant parents, Rose and Robert Neuneker. She met her sweetheart and future husband, Duane, at Western Illinois University, where she was studying to become a Home Economics teacher. They were married in 1955 and began a life together grounded in faith, family, and community.

Freeport is where Duane began his teaching career and where he and Ruth began raising their family. They soon outgrew the little red house on Bellaire Street and, in 1962, moved to Mill Street in Cedarville. In their big old house in that beloved small town, they raised their five children and built a lifetime of memories.

When her children were young, Ruth worked at the Freeport Public Library. She later used her education degree to teach for many years in the Home Economics Department at Freeport’s middle and high schools. She was especially fond of the football players who would stop by to see if “Ms. Smith” might have extra goodies baking in the ovens. At just 5-foot-1, she was often wrapped up in grateful hugs from those big, hungry boys with crumbs still on their chins.

Ruth was devoted for many years to her local P.E.O. chapter, St. Thomas Auxiliary, and the Cedarville Historical Society. Countless salad luncheons, soup suppers, and cookie walks were made possible by her steady hands and generous heart in the kitchen.

She found deep joy in simple things — quilts and pretty fabrics, cooking, family reunions, visits from children and grandchildren, hummingbirds, genealogy, March Madness basketball, rhubarb pie, and of course, chocolate. Near the top of that list were spring drives with Duane to catch the first blooms at Oakdale or Krape Park.

Among Ruth’s many admirable qualities, what stands out most was her ability to live fully in the present with quiet contentment. The everyday work of caring for a family never seemed a burden to her. You could see her pride in a neat stack of clean laundry, hear the Chicago Cubs on the radio as she ironed, and feel her joy in preparing a meal to share with others.

Ruth and Duane shared 68 beautiful years of marriage. Duane passed away in 2023. Ruth is lovingly remembered by her five children and their families: Mark (Lavinda) of Bettendorf, Iowa; Brad (Rebecca) of DeKalb, Illinois; Matt (Francesca) of LaGrange, Illinois; Paula Charron (Mike) of Genoa, Wisconsin; and Martha Martin (Doug) of Verona, Wisconsin; ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, with another little one soon to arrive; and many dear in-laws, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Robert, Max, and Rose Neuneker.

The Smith children are forever grateful to the WinnPrairie team for the extraordinary love and care given to both of their parents. You became family to us. We also thank Hospice for their gentle guidance and support as they helped Mom and Dad make their way home to heaven.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 AM. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Fr. Peter Snieg will officiate. Visitation starting at 9:00 A.M. until the time of service at St. Thomas. Immediately following the Funeral Mass a luncheon will be held at St. Thomas.  Burial will take place in Cedarville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ruth’s name to the Freeport Community Public School Fund, State Bank, P.O. Box 778, Freeport, IL 61032, or to the Cedarville Historical Society, 1212 Stewart Street, Freeport, IL 61032.

The funeral mass will be live streamed through St. Thomas Aquinas Churches' website and can be accessed through:

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