Ruth A. Atwood

Ruth A. Atwood, 86, of South Beloit, Illinois was called to her heavenly home on Saturday, June 14, 2025. She passed at her home from cancer surrounded by her loving family. Ruth was born November 4, 1938 in Galesburg Illinois, the daughter of Floyd and Violet Johnson- Gustafson. She grew up on a 650 acre farm in Dahinda, Illinois. Ruth was valedictorian class of 1956, at Knoxville High School. She pursued her nursing studies and career at Lutheran Hospital in Moline Illinois. She graduated in 1959 as an RN. Ruth married the love of her life, Donald Atwood, in Dixon Illinois on December 14, 1957. They adopted two children, Kevin and Lisa (Atwood) Sell. She worked at various hospitals before moving to South Beloit, Illinois in 1971. Working at Beloit Memorial Hospital for 32 years her jobs varied from staff nurse, relief nurse, head nurse, up to the last 15 years in ambulatory care. Ruth was a servant to all who knew her. In her retirement, she enjoyed many Bible studies, Intermediate Women's Club, Treble Clef Club and Red Hat Society. She was instrumental in helping build the Family Life Center at Central Christian Church. She was also very involved in the ladies sewing group and organizing/coordinating the blood drives. Ruth's passion was music. She loved playing many instruments, including piano, organ and guitar. She loved being part of the worship singing team every Sunday morning. For many years, she was the piano accompanist for the Goldenaires Chorus. Ruth's beloved granddaughter Lauren Ann Sell was the joy of her life. She never missed an activity that she was a part of. Lauren was her world and they were best friends. She was a lifetime animal lover, and had many rescues over the years. She loved to travel and visited all 50 states, Europe, Israel, and Haiti. Ruth enjoyed her winters spent in Elberta, Alabama, where she loved her Foley Baptist Church friends and Country Crossroads neighbors. She was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. She is survived by her son, Kevin; daughter, Lisa, and Lisa's husband Jim Sell; granddaughter, Lauren; sister, Mary (Ron) Spring; many nephews and nieces; and stepsister, Maureen Braden. Her husband Don preceded her death September 8, 2014. Also preceded in her death were her parents, sister Martha Branch, stepmom Maxine Gustafson, stepbrother Sonny Essex, stepsister Myrna Johnson, and her nieces husband James McNally. A Memorial service for Ruth will be at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2025 in Central Christian Church with Pastor Dave Meding and Pastor Randy Kiger officiating. A Visitation of Remembrance will be from 1:00 p.m. until 3:45 p.m. Tuesday in the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established at a later date.