Ruth Barkei

Ruth E. Barkei, age 91, a longtime resident of Shorewood, WI, formerly of Naperville, IL, passed away on Friday, October 10, 2025, at Belmont Village Senior Living in Carol Stream, IL. She was born on June 12, 1934, in Aurora, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Anna (née Feldott) Barkei, her siblings, Gilbert (Barbara), Mildred (Howard) Hill, Bernice (Albert) Schwartz, LeRoy (Patricia), Paul (Mary Jo), Elaine, Joan (Ed) Gilpatric and Marilyn (David) Vanden Brook. She is survived by her sister, Dorothy (the late Vincent) Collins; and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth grew up on her family’s farm near Warrenville Road in Naperville where Nokia (formerly Alcatel-Lucent/Bell Laboratories) resided. She attended SS. Peter & Paul Grade School and was a graduate of Naperville High School. Ruth attended Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI. She then earned an MA in Education from Marquette University in Milwaukee. Ruth taught English and later on served as a guidance counselor in the Milwaukee Public School system for many years.

Ruth was a talented piano player and enjoyed attending many concerts and symphonies. She loved to travel and lived in Japan and Germany for a time while helping her sister, Dorothy, take care of her growing family. She loved a good crossword puzzle, reading and taking many walks along Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. She also enjoyed water aerobics and loved to laugh.

Future inurnment: SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Naperville, IL.

Arrangements by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St, Naperville, IL 60540.

For more information, please call (630) 355-0213 or visit www.friedrich-jones.com