Marilyn B. Ruthe

Freeport - Marilyn B. Ruthe, 91 of Freeport passed away peacefully at Citadel St. Joseph's Village on September 15, 2026. She was born January 2, 1935 in Avon Wisconsin to Clarence and Augusta (Schmidt) Brooker, the youngest of 10 children. She attended Warren High School and graduated in 1953.

She married Robert E. Heilman on March 27, 1954, together they raised four children and were very active members of First Lutheran Church until his passing on May 16, 1976. She was married to Nelson (Bud) Ruthe on May 17, 1982, where she welcomed her extended family and enjoyed the lives of two additional daughters, and later joined St John UCC Church. Her husband Nelson passed away on January 5, 2009.

Marilyn worked as Office Manager for the Freeport Housing Authority for 23 years. She implemented the Section 8 housing program in Freeport and retired in 1994. She was very active at St. John UCC in many capacities. Her passion was creating the Lay Care ministry program and coordinated visitation of shut-in and hospitalized members and implementing an on-site community garden.

She is survived by her children Bradley (Rochelle) Heilman of Freeport, David (Pamela Sue) Heilman of Loves Park, Il., Diane Heilman and Karen (Kevin Flynn) Tucker both of Freeport, Debra Thomas of San Antonio, Tx. and Pete (Barbara) Martinez also of San Antonio, Tx. One sister-in-law Darlene Brooker of Monroe, Wi. Her legacy includes ten grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, four sisters Ethel, Betty, Maxine, and Audrey and five brothers, Clarence, Ken, Russ, Ralph and Don, Daughter Barbara Martinez and daughter-in-law Nancy Heilman.

The family would like to thank St. Joseph's Village and Unity Hospice for their wonderful care they provided her in the later stages of her life.

Services will be provided at St. John UCC church of Freeport on October 17, 2026, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am, with a celebration of life service beginning at 11:00. A luncheon will follow the service, for a time of fellowship and conversation. Her final resting place will be at Chapel Hill Memorial gardens, next to her first husband Robert E, Heilman.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial in her name is established to benefit F.A.C.C. and the Salvation Army of Freeport.