Ruth K Snyder

Ruth K. Snyder,age 86, of Bolingbrook, Illinois passed peacefully into Heaven in her sleep January 29, 2020. Preceded in death by her adoring husband, Donald Snyder, her beloved brother Lester Kalk, and her beloved sister Mary (Kalk) Junod.

Ruth(ie) was born in Chicago to Dr. Lester Kalk and Jean (Mahon) Kalk September 1, 1933. Her father, a very well-respected dentist in Chicago, received an honorary degree from Loyola for his pioneering work in Endodontics (root canals). Ruth was known for being a bit of a tomboy--preferring to play baseball with her brother and his friends. The boys didn’t mind because she was a good player.

She had her 1st date with Don for their 8th grade dance at Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary School. They attended different high schools and lost touch with each other. Ruth graduated from Chicago Christian High School in 1951 where she was involved in the National Honor Society and Student Council and then began working in downtown Chicago as an IBM operator where she met two lifelong friends. At this time, Ruth also became a doting aunt to her beloved sister Mary’s & Maurie’s children, a “title” she truly loved.

Meanwhile, Don graduated from public high school and trade school, and was living and working in Michigan City, IN. Approaching 25 and still a bachelor, he desired to get married and raise a family. So in December 1958, Don decided to send a Christmas card to “all” his former girlfriends. Ruth replied, and truth be told, Don had only sent ONE card. He had never forgotten Ruth! So they went on their 2nd date 11 years after their first. This was meant to be: they married less than 5 months later, May 16, 1959, and bought a house in Garfield Ridge area of Chicago at 53rd & Sayre.

Their beloved son, David, came along 11 months after and their beloved daughter, Nancy, followed 2 ½ years later.

An old grade school friend invited the family to First Christian Church in Chicago which forever changed their lives. It was there that Don & Ruth’s faith in God grew and became the central focus of their lives. They made many friends and had great fellowship, serving and leading in vital roles as long as their health would allow.

In 1967, after the “Big Snow”, the family moved to Oak Lawn where Ruth’s mother joined them. Through all the years, Don was quite a romantic, known for making heart shapes with their initials inside, in the yard with every new snowfall and once even in a newly paved street!

Years flew by and eventually, Don & Ruth became small business owners: Real Estate Guide. They thoroughly enjoyed working alongside their dedicated crew of family and friends. Ruth & Don were lifelong partners in every way.

Numerous wonderful people enriched Ruth’s life throughout her life and she in turn, enriched theirs. Ruth was a faithful "encourager", sending cards and notes to many. She was a faithful prayer warrior and in later years joked that her prayer list was so long, it took a long time! Her son and daughter have no doubt that largely where they are in their lives today is due to a faithfully praying mother. (& father)

Ruth’s children brought 5 beloved grandchildren into her life: Nathanael Welsh, Harmony (Welsh) Frey, Silas Welsh, Rebekah (Snyder) Reed, and Lauren (Snyder) McConnell, All of whom are now married to wonderful spouses.

Ruth also had 4 great grandchildren: Harper Welsh, Kazuma, Yukio, and Takashi Reed, a fifth on the way (Baby Frey) and hopefully many more that she can enjoy watching from Heaven.

Thankfully, now Ruth is healthy and whole after a 15 year battle with Alzheimers/Dementia. She is in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, her beloved Don, her beloved family members and friends who have gone on before. Praise be to God for His indescribable gift!

Funeral, Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. from Chapel Hill Gardens South Funeral Home 11333 S. Central Ave., Oak Lawn, Illinois. Visitation from 9:00 a.m. until time of Chapel Service 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Interment Chapel Hill Gardens South Cemetery. Info: 708-636-1200