Ruth Mary Cecil Arends

Ruth Mary Cecil Arends was born in Ashton in 1920, the daughter of Henry and Emma Wagner. She married Henry Arends on Oct. 29, 1938. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Rochelle and enjoyed life together with family and friends. They both loved their long automobile trips, especially their repeated visits to Florida and the scenic ventures out west. Ruth was a wonderful, caring and fun mother. There was nothing she loved more than a newborn and what joy she had with the birth and growth of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They treasured her as much as she did them. What a great tribute to a life well lived. Throughout her life, she loved curling up with a good book and one of her early memories from life on her parent's farm was lounging on the limb in a fruit tree, reading her favorite books while eating the apples that grew around her. Reading led to a love of words and she became an avid crossword puzzler. She had a quirky sense of humor, which everyone loved and lives on in her children and grandchildren. Ruth was a member of the Rochelle United Methodist Church for more than 50 years, was active in Eastern Star, holding many leadership roles including Worthy Matron, and was a familiar face to many in Rochelle as an employee at the Sears Catalog Store for more than 20 years. She later worked at the Rochelle Senior Center until she was 86. Survivors include her son, Gary Arends of Elizabethtown, Ky.; daughters, Roxann (George) Weber of Rochelle and Yvonne (Russ) Kyler of Southlake, Texas; grandsons, Mark Andrist of East Troy, Wis., Scott (Erin) Andrist of Rockford and Ryan (Kari) Andrist of Rochelle; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Jacob, Emma, Lauren and Jonathan Andrist; and a great-niece, Toni (Stan) Magnusson of Glendale, Ariz. Ruth was preceded to God by her parents; her husband of 44 years; two sisters; a brother; a great-granddaughter; and a special and beloved aunt, Rose Wagner. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Rochelle Senior Center where Ruth made numerous friends and enjoyed many hours or to Ogle County Hospice. Additional thanks to the loving staff at Rochelle Gardens. Visitation is at Coulon-Lyons Funeral Home on Monday, Nov. 15 from 9:30-11 a.m. Service at 11 a.m., followed by a private burial. Ruth lived a long and full life and will forever be missed by those within and outside her family. God rest her soul.