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Ruth Allen Obituary
She was born in Chambersburg, PA, on November 11, 1932, to Eldon and Helen (Tarner) Beattie. Her family moved to Illinois when Ruth was 4 years old. She attended several schools in the Sterling/Rock Falls area and graduated from Rock Falls High School in 1950. She worked at International Harvester in Rock Falls after high school and then decided to pursue a career in nursing. She attended Swedish American School of Nursing, graduating in 1956. She married Bill Allen (Allen's TV) in 1959. They later divorced.
Ruth loved being a mom to her daughters Kathy, Karen and Kayla. She worked part time nights as a nurse at CGH (Community General Hospital) in Sterling when her daughters were young. She later worked full time and retired from her nursing career as the Assistant Director of Nursing at CGH. She often said that she loved being a nurse. She had many fond memories of her coworkers.
Ruth also loved to travel. She visited much of the United States and several countries with friends and family over the years. In her latter years, she enjoyed playing dominoes with friends and going for scenic rides in the country. She loved to tease people and to be teased and could make you smile with her sense of humor.
The family appreciates the wonderful care she received at Timberdale Trace Memory Care and St. Croix Hospice in Owatonna.
Ruth is survived by her 3 daughters, Kathy (Marv) Van Ommeren, Owatonna, MN, Karen (Chris) Rogers, Crystal Lake, IL, and Kayla (Dave) Paetsch, West Dundee, IL; grandchildren, Michael and Matthew Van Ommeren, Hannah, CJ, and Halle Rogers, and Abby Paetsch; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings and their spouses, Virginia (Carl) Gustafson, Bob (Karla) Beattie, Sam (Bev) Beattie, Dick (Alberta) Beattie, and Bev (Andy) Anderson.
Friends may visit the family at Brick-Meger Funeral Home (1603 Austin Rd, Owatonna) on November 3, 2025, from 4:00-6:00 pm. Burial and interment will take place in Sterling, IL, on November 8, 2025.
For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ruth Allen
1 Entry
Arlyn and Phyllis Dykhuizen
November 5, 2025
Condolences to the family. She was a joy to have as a fellow church and SS member.
Arlyn and Phyllis Dykhuizen
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