Ruth M. Forster

Ruth Mae Forster, age 92, a resident of Pleasant Prairie, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 5, 2025, with her family by her side.

Born on April 18, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, Ruth was adopted by Frank and Clara (Bertelt) Wimmer after the passing of her birth mother shortly after her arrival.

In 1951, Ruth married William Forster. Over the years she held many clerical positions and was fondly known as “the button lady” during her long employment at Minnesota Fabrics. Together, Ruth and William raised five children and spent many weekends rehabbing cottages—something they both enjoyed doing side by side. Ruth and William also dedicated 17 years as volunteers at Aurora Kenosha Hospital. She was a longtime member of Pleasant Prairie Methodist Church until its recent closure.

Ruth loved the outdoors and was happiest in the sunshine. She tended large gardens and especially cherished her fruit trees. She could often be found gathering sticks around the yard to add to her burn pile—she loved having fires. An animal lover throughout her life, she recently said goodbye to her beloved cat, Bella.

Additionally, Ruth loved doing puzzles, sewing, and was an avid reader.

Ruth is survived by her son Andrew (Patricia) Forster of Lake Zurich, Illinois; her daughter Lisa (Jason) Mallace of Salem, Wisconsin; eight grandchildren—Matthew, Emily, and Abby Mallace; Taylor and Mikayla Forster; Nadia Koenig; Tom and Pauline Paschelk—and one great-grandchild, Valentino Koenig. She is further survived by her close friend Gerald Martin.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William; one son, Lawrence; and two daughters, Julie and Christine.

Ruth’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to Jerry, Don, and Cathy for taking such good care of her over the years.

Graveside prayers for Ruth will be held on Friday December 12^th 2025 at Ridgewood Memorial Park (9900 N Milwaukee Ave, Des Plaines, IL 60016) at 11 o’clock in the morning. Please meet at the cemetery at 10:45.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation to SIDS or a local animal rescue in Ruth’s honor.