Ruth Ann Mitick, 95, of Windsor Manor Assisted Living Community, in Morrison, IL, died Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at Windsor Manor.
Ruth was born March 15, 1926, to Ross and Alice (McClure) Bealer in Sterling, IL. She was raised in Morrison, along with two sisters and two brothers. Ruth graduated from Morrison High School in 1944 and went on to college at the University of Colorado from 1944 to 1948. She majored in education. While attending the University, she met her future husband, Stanley R. Mitick, also a graduate of the University of Colorado.
Ruth had a long career in the teaching profession spanning some 38 years, the last 23 years as a teacher at Challand Junior High in Sterling. Starting as a Girls Physical Education teacher in the Denver School System, she later taught Remedial Reading, and finally taught as a Prescriptive Teacher, helping students who had trouble with specific subjects and other problems that hindered their education. Her Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling was beneficial in her successes as a Prescriptive Teacher. At some time during her career, she volunteered her services to tutor jail inmates with low level reading capabilities. Retiring in 1988 she had time to pursue the development of what some people called a “park” in her backyard, and also do volunteer work for many community projects.
Ruth was a lifelong avid golfer, starting at the age of 13. She won many local tournaments, as well as being the Women’s Champion at Morrison Country Club numerous times. She also was a winning member, numerous times, of the Women’s Lincoln Highway Regional Golf Team. In 2010 Ruth finally put away her clubs and hung up her spikes.
Ruth was very civic minded and was always interested in preserving the heritage of her community. She enthusiastically helped to save some of Morrison’s last historic buildings. In 1980 Stan and Ruth moved into their new home, that came with a 2 ½ acre wooded ravine. For the next 40 years it was their passion to maintain this ravine with wild flowers, flower gardens, and trails. Stan, being the engineer and relying on his upbringing in Colorado, designed, built, and maintained “switchback” trails throughout the ravine. This design not only prevented erosion, but brought back memories of mountain trails in Colorado. Stan also designed and built two wooden bridges to connect each side of the ravine. Ruth planted and maintained various flower plots. Her greatest pleasure was working in the woods. This included not only weeding and cutting back trees, but also ensuring the pristine atmosphere in the ravine, that she and Stan had achieved. The woods were open for the public to enjoy. Each trail was named and the ravine became known as “Ruth’s Woods.” Ruth’s favorite quote was, “I have been blessed beyond measure.”
Those surviving Ruth are one sister, Ila DeLuca of Upland, CA; nieces and nephews Sharon (Tim) Allen of Scottsdale, AZ, Thomas (Mary) Pons of Erie, IL, Michael (Jenny) Heun of Erie, IL, Robert Bealer of Chadler, AZ, and Dorian (Donna) McClenahan of Upland, CA.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley; sister, Marjorie Pons; brothers, Rosco Bealer, Jr. and Charles Bealer.
A private family Graveside Service and Interment will be held at the Rock Island National Cemetery, in Rock Island, IL, with Ken Renkes officiating.
The Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials have been established to Windsor Manor Assisted Living Community, 403 Scenic Street, Morrison, IL, and Unity Hospice, 1201 S. 7th Street, Rochelle, IL, 61268.