Ruth J. Skorburg was called to Heaven on April 29, 2026, at the age of 92.

Born July 6, 1933, to Willard P. and Wilma P. (May) Thompson in Lyons, Nebraska. Ruth’s father and grandfather were both Presbyterian pastors. She and her sister, Lois, were raised in a small town where she learned to serve God, family and community. She attended Syracuse High School in Syracuse Kansas. She was a good student and enjoyed school life.

She chose to attend college at the College of Emporia where she opted to study Biology. During her time there she worked as a librarian in the school library, sang in the Chorale music group, performed in plays and met the love of her life, John Russell Skorburg. While attending C of E they enjoyed a lengthy and romantic courtship and made many friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Although Ruth was used to small town life, she was eager to pursue her new life with Russell - a life filled with new places and new faces. None of that mattered to her, intelligent, strong and tenacious, she travelled across the country with Russell in a used ’46 Dodge (that broke down once), with only pennies in their pockets, to San Francisco, CA where Russell attended Theological Seminary.

Deeply in love, and full of optimism, she picked up jobs as she could, including working in a Toy Shop, performing childcare – whatever was available to help Russell meet their living expenses.

Once Russell graduated from Seminary, Ruth never walked behind – she always walked beside him - serving congregations in Caney KS, Aurora, MO, Harrison AR and Palatine, IL. They lived a full life serving God, growing churches, supporting and guiding their congregations through the highs and lows of life: weddings, births, baptisms, funerals, unemployment, relocations and mending broken hearts, always teaching belief in God, forgiveness, faithfulness and everlasting life - filling people with love and hope for the future.

Ruth and Russell did graduate work at the American Institute, St. Andrews University, St. Andrews, Scotland in 1971. They also hosted three tours to the Middle East, including Israel and Egypt, Greece and a trip to the Netherlands.

While Russell preached, Ruth organized programs for women and children. She opened their home to Bible Studies, youth groups and celebrations all while raising five children: Jim, Jon, Julie, Joel and Jared. She encouraged each one to be independent and to live their lives with purpose while pursuing their dreams.

Ruth served as an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Palatine, IL.

After 70 years of marriage and service to God and the church, Ruth and Russell retired to a home in Rockford IL on a lot backed by woods full of nature: flowers, plants and wildlife. They enjoyed all of the seasons and watched deer and birds that would visit feeders in their yard.

They spent many hours documenting their family history, collecting books, historical memorabilia, Christmas ornaments, decorative Easter eggs, bird art, including the Loons that reminded them of the time they spent with their children in the Northwoods of Wisconsin every summer.

They enjoyed time spent with Russell’s family (Wayne, Vida, Irma and Donna) and Ruth’s sister Lois and her husband, Jack. They attended Third Presbyterian Church and enjoyed many friendships there including the one with Pastor Murray Hanson and his wife, Mary. They looked forward to visits from their children, Jim (Sue), Jon (Mary Ann), Julie (John), Joel and Jared, grandchildren April (Matt) James (Jordan) Gus (Kristen), Megan (Brett), Hannah, Trevor (Sarah) Connor (Gretchen) Caitlin (Bryan) and great grandchildren (Cole, David, Spencer, Genevieve, Colby, Lenora and Marcie) all of whom lived in many states throughout the country.

Ruth was a lifetime member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a philanthropic organization supporting women’s education through scholarships, grants and loans and UPW, United Presbyterian Women, an organization that nurtures faith through prayer and Bible study.

We know Ruth was greeted at the pearly gates by the Lord and Russell, her loving and devoted husband that preceded her in death by only 4 months. She will be missed by her loving family, neighbors, and friends. It is our belief that we will reunite one day according to God’s promise.

Memorial service will be held Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, ILL 61108. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth’s name to The American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org, Parkinson’s Foundation at https://www.parkinson.org or AIDS United at https://aidsunited.org/donate/