Ruth Wedemeyer

1926 - 2025

Ruth Wedemeyer
Born: November 15, 1926 in Milwaukee, WI
Died: September 5, 2025 in Mendota, IL
Ruth Helen Wedemeyer passed away on September 5, 2025, at Allure Nursing Home in Mendota, IL, after a long and fulfilling life. She was 98.
Ruth was born in Milwaukee, WI, on November 15, 1926, the daughter of Ottilie and Raymond Dobberpuhl. As an only child, she developed a healthy thirst for knowledge that would drive her life long love of reading and learning. Ruth thrived in Milwaukee's public schools, even skipping ahead a grade. After graduating with honors from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a BA degree in journalism, Ruth worked for a year as a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal. She had met her future husband, Victor Wedemeyer, at UW, and the two married in 1949. They moved to Mendota, IL, where Victor was already employed as an art teacher. There they would spend their entire 63 years together as vital members of the community. After Victor passed away in 2012, Ruth lived for a time at Stonecroft Village, then spent her final years at Allure of Mendota. Her family would like to thank staff at Allure and Vitas Hospice for their compassionate care.
Ruth was a remarkable mother to her five children, who all survive her-David (Irene) Wedemeyer of Elgin, IL; Daniel (Mary) Wedemeyer of Rockford, IL; Elizabeth (Laurence) Rohlfes of Rocklin, CA; Stephen (Nancy) Wedemeyer of Monona, WI; and Martha (Craig) Faron of Romeoville, IL. Ruth also is cherished and remembered fondly by her 12 grandchildren-Rachael, Jennifer, Sarah, Kent, Matthew, Jessica, Kathryn, Sasha, Samantha, Dorian, Alexandra and Nicholas; and nine great-grandchildren-Kristine, Joshua, Addison, Sebastian, Charlotte, Remy, Henry, Summer and Eli. Among a host of her endearing qualities, Ruth is remembered for the positive outlook she expressed in conversation and in thousands of letters and cards written to her family and friends over the years.
Those who knew Ruth will remember her as a model of active faith-an unassuming, genuinely kind woman with an exceptional ability to listen attentively and take an interest in the lives of those around her, without judgment. She was a long-time member of St. John's Lutheran Church, where she was active in choir, Sunday School as both student and teacher, and Ladies' Circles. Ruth taught piano lessons in her home and worked as a bilingual classroom assistant in the schools. She volunteered at Lighted Way and was active in the Mendota Women's Club, Home Extension and American Field Service. She also wrote parts of the Tracks of Time history of Mendota.
Ruth's life will be celebrated on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 607 10th Ave. in Mendota. Visitation will be at the church at 9:30, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 and burial at the Lutheran Cemetery, E 2nd Road in Mendota. Neighbors and friends are invited to join the family for a light repast at St. John's parish hall following the burial. Contributions may be made in Ruth's name to St. John's Lutheran Church, the Graves-Hume Public Library Trust or a disaster relief fund of choice.