Ruth Raxter

Ruth Ann Raxter, 63 of Rockford, IL passed away in her home on April 19, 2024. Born on April 9, 1961 in Rockford, IL to Joseph and Nedra (Watkins) Raxter. Ruth attended West High School and as a child she attended KSB, where she accepted the Lord as her Savior.

Ruth met her best friend and wife, Shereen Elmore, in 2005 and they spent 19 amazing years making beautiful memories together. Ruth loved spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed traveling, crafting, gardening, camping, and was always ready for a good garage sale. She had a strong personality, she loved hard, laughed hard, and would do anything for the people she loved. You never had to question what Ruth was thinking, as her facial expressions said it all.

Ruth started working at the age of 11 years old in the Dekalb fields, she was employed for 10 years at Logli’s bakery, and managed the Eagle’s Bakery for 10 years. Ruth began her career with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department as Senior Correctional Officer/ PREA Compliance Officer in 2001, in which she had just retired on March 29, 2024. Ruth was unaware that the evening of which the Lord received her, she was going to be attending a surprise party to honor her retirement.

Survivors include her wife, Shereen Elmore; loving daughter, Emalina (Martin) Almanza; grandchildren, Nyelie, Frank, and Annelysse; son, Marcelino (Nina Saavedra) Vargas; granddaughter, Lillian; sister and sidekick, Mary (Chuck) VanOver; sister, Linda Penaloza; sister-in-law, Nancy (Jimmy) Raxter; mother-in-law, Roberta Elmore; several nieces and nephews; loving dog, Buddy; special friends, Maria Johnson, Cathy Lamb, and Tony Ponte. Predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Nedra Raxter; brother, Jimmy Raxter; brother-in-law, Chuck VanOver; and father-in-law, Donald Elmore.

A visitation for Ruth will be held Friday, April 26, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 8800 North Alpine Road, Machesney Park, Illinois 61115, followed by a funeral service officiated by Pastor Donnie Barnes of Memorial Baptist Church at 2:00 PM.