Ruth Legel
Ruth Katherine Legel, 88, died Tuesday, August 26th, 2025, surrounded by her favorite people. Born on June 22nd, 1937, in Rockford, IL, daughter to John and Pearl (Eberthardt) Peterson. Ruth met the love of her life at fourteen and married Herman L. Legel in Blackhawk, CO, on April 14th, 1956. They were married 55 years until his death in 2011.
She retired from Rockford Memorial Hospital in 1999, after 22 years in patient accounts. Ruth was a proud member of the Lincoln Park Elementary breakfast club.
Living most of her life in Rockford, she enjoyed making her home beautiful, her gardens full of hydrangeas, taking trips with Herman, especially the cross-country Harley trip in 1979, and her Joey.
Survived by, Joey Legel, her beloved rescue dog, he was truly a rescue for two souls; son, Michael (Margaret) Legel; daughter and bestie, Katherine (Douglas) Davidson; grandsons, Matthew Quast, Samuel (Faith) Quast, Douglas and Nickolas Davidson; granddaughters, Rebecca (Josh) Sumner, Katherine (Joe) Kasper, Bethany (Michael) Ray, great-grandchildren Natalee Quast, Olive Quast, Emily and Leah Sumner, Emma, Noah and Madelynn Ray; sister, Joan; nieces and nephews, and dear friends Bruce, Michelle and Jackie Quast.
Cremation rites accorded. A family service will be held at a later date to join her husband at Abraham Lincoln Veterans Cemetery.
The family would like to send a special thank you to Northern Illinois Hospice for their kindness and amazing support.
Memorial donations may be made in Ruth’s honor to Northern Illinois Hospice or Winnebago County Animal Services.