Ruth Macaulay, 96, died peacefully, June 8, 2013 with her family by her side.
Ruth was born January 1, 1917 in Cedar Falls, Iowa
the daughter of Gustav and Elizabeth(Madsen) Nykvist. She was the daughter of immigrants, father a tailor from Sweden and mother a seamstress from Denmark, and was the youngest of four children. Ruth was married to William B. Macaulay August 12, 1939. Her only child, David, was born in 1947.
School superintendent William (Mac) hired Ruth to teach commercial subjects (typing,
shorthand and bookkeeping), English, and physical education at Salix, Iowa soon after her
graduation from Iowa State Teachers College (Cedar Falls) in 1938. A year later they were
married at her parents' home in Cedar Falls. After teaching two years in Salix, Ruth
taught commercial subjects, physical education, and geography in Davenport, Iowa, Albion,
Iowa, and Richfield, Minnesota until her retirement in 1977. She loved teaching and was
very popular with students and colleagues.
Ruth and her husband lived in Richfield from 1956 to 1982, then retired to Mesa, Arizona
where William passed away in 1997. Desiring to live close to her son, in 2006 she moved
to Sunrise Assisted Living (Crystal Lake, Illinois) and lived there until her death.
Ruth was baptized and confirmed at Nazareth Lutheran Church (Cedar Falls) and later
worshipped at Richfield Methodist Church and Apache Wells Community Church (Mesa).
Ruthie was very athletic and especially enjoyed playing tennis. As a young adult she won
numerous tennis tournaments and continued playing until nearly 80 years of age. She also
loved camping, gardening, golf and all outdoor activities. Friendly and outgoing, Ruthie
made friends easily and had a great sense of humor. She loved dogs and had one or more
most of her adult life. She enjoyed reading, card games (especially bridge), and solving
crossword puzzles. Ruthie worked crossword puzzles up until the last week of her life and
continued to amaze her family with her puzzle-solving skills.
Ruth is survived by her son, David (Beth) Macaulay and by her two grandsons, Bill (Katie)
Macaulay, and Eric Macaulay. She is also survived by her great grandchildren, Caitlyn and
Bridget.
Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, William, by her brother, Frederick and by her
sisters, Dora and Esther.
A memorial service will be held 10:00am Tuesday, June 18 at Sunrise Assisted Living, 751
East Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, Illinois. Friends are invited to attend the service.
Burial will be at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona (Phoenix) alongside William.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Habitat for Humanity or JourneyCare
Hospice (Barrington, Illinois).
For further information please call the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or on-line
condolences may be directed to
www.defiorejorgensen.com
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