Ruth Ann Stodola, 84, of Loves Park, Illinois passed away peacefully in her home on January 16, 2026. She was born in Rockford, Illinois, graduated from West High School in 1959 where she met the love of her life, Doug, her husband of 63 years. She was the first female to be offered a scholarship into the teaching program at NIU. She had a love for education and taught elementary school for over 35 years. She had the privilege of teaching four of her grandchildren when they were in the 4th grade. After she accepted Jesus as her Savior, she became very involved in her church and had a love for music. She loved to sing in the church choir. She was an excellent seamstress and loved making Christmas dresses for each of her granddaughters.

She is survived by her husband, Douglas Clark Stodola; children, Maggie (Jim) Hedlund of Caledonia, IL, Ken (Jennifer) Stodola of Prattville, AL, Steven (Rhonae) Stodola of Deering, NH; grandchildren, Andy (Ashton) Hedlund of Cherry Valley, IL, Jeremiah (Rachel) Hedlund of Rockford, IL, Joe (Megan) Hedlund of Loves Park, IL, Alysson (Josiah) Sandahl of Prattville, AL, Kaleb Stodola of Lexington, KY, Kristy (Kyle) Lathrop of Ankeny, IA, Drew (Katie) Stodola of Laurens, SC, David Stodola of Greenville, SC; 15 great grandchildren; siblings, Sally Reed of Tavares, FL and Dick McLaren of Rockford, IL. She is predeceased by her parents, Kenneth and Mable McLaren; and grandsons, Daniel Stodola and Kameron Hedlund.

We are comforted in I Thessalonians 4:13…..that we sorrow not as others who have no hope.

A funeral service for Ruth will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108. A visitation will take place from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service. Internment at Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship, an organization that is near and dear to Doug and Ruth’s hearts.