Ruth Hruby

Ruth Bess Presto Brown Hruby

Ruth was born at home on Avers Avenue in Chicago, Illinois on February 1, 1933 to Blanche and Otto Pristoupimsky. Ruth was blessed with two older sisters – Evelyn and Shirley.

Ruth attended Eli Whitney Grammar School and Farragut High School, graduating  in the Winter Class of 1951.

After working in a paint store and one making frozen bananas, Ruth worked for a few years at the Campbell Soup Company in Chicago as a Secretary in the Office of the Chemists. There she met Robert (Bob) Brown. They were married on May 14, 1955 in the Ivanhoe Methodist Church in Riverdale, Illinois. They started their family in 1956 with the birth of their first son, Dale Allen. In 1957, their second son, Thomas Robert was born. They completed their family in 1958 with the birth of their daughter, Carole Terese.

In late 1959 with three small children, they moved to Redlands, California where Bob began working with the Lockheed Propulsion Labs. Ruth busied herself with cares for the home, husband, and children; as well as participating in various bowling leagues.

During the summer of 1965, the family moved to Marion, Illinois. Bob took a job with Olin Mathieson Corporation and the children enrolled in Logan and Washington Elementary Schools. As a family, they joined the Marion Methodist Church.

Ruth continued to manage the home front while participating in Newcomers and various Bridge Clubs. As the children became more involved with youth baseball and school activities, Ruth expanded her services to include being the Family Driver. Ruth’s three children graduated from Marion High School and then went on to became college and university graduates.

By 1972, Ruth had begun working outside the home as a Store Clerk and Salesperson for Marion’s new Ben Franklin Store. She followed that up with working in Customer Service for the downtown Albright’s Clothing Store.

Ruth was by Bob’s side as he battled cancer for 18 months before passing away in May, 1981. Later that year, Ruth became a secretary for Richard Hall at the Olin Corporation.

In October, 1983, Ruth married her High School Sweetheart, Peter J. Hruby and moved to La Grange Park, Illinois with him. She supported him in his teaching endeavors at Chicago’s Burns Elementary School. They enjoyed their summers together at Club Zobak at Lake Catherine in northern Illinois. Sadly, on March 19, 1998, “Papa Pete” Hruby died suddenly from a massive heart attack.

For several years in La Grange Park, she worked as a “Helpful Hardware Gal!” with the town’s local Ace Hardware Store. She was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, going to as many games as she could with her sister and brother-in-law, or Tom’s family, or her neighbor Diana.  She was also active with her cousins, her Neighborhood Block Club, and her Farragut Class of 1951.

Ruth died peacefully in the home of her youngest son in Lafayette, Indiana during the evening of November 5, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, oldest sister, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She leaves behind a rich legacy of family love and generosity in her children: Dale & Cindy Brown (San Leon, TX), Tom & Ann Brown (Lafayette, IN), Carole Siefken (Peoria, IL); four grandchildren: Nick & Tina Siefken and Jessica Siefken (all of Peoria, IL), Paul & Megan Brown (Muncie, IN), and Jasmine Brown (Lafayette, IN); and four great-grandsons: Simeon, Elliot, Josiah, and Theo.

Visitation Tuesday, November 12, 2024 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd. 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513

Interment Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at Egyptian Memorial Cemetery, Marion, IL  Graveside Service 11:00 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, Ruth’s children suggest Memorial Gifts be given to the American Heart Association, 300 S Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606 or American Cancer Society, 150 S Wacker Drive,  #2100, Chicago, IL 60606 or Saint Michael’s Lutheran Church, 500 E. 31st Street, LaGrange Park, Il 60526; where Ruth enjoyed many Christmas Eve Services with her family.

Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com

For those of you that would like to express your condolences to the family, please click on the condolence tab above and you can leave the family a message. If you wish to send a sympathy card to the family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o Ruth Hruby Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.