Ruth I Collin-Rohner

Ruth I Collin-Rohner, 87 of Rockford, died December 24, 2016. She was born in Villach, Austria on Jan. 23, 1929. At age 7 she immigrated to the US and became a naturalized citizen, living and growing up in Milwaukee, WI. She was employed by Briggs & Stratton (a Milwaukee Co.) for many years.
While there she met and married Tommy Ikeda. They lived on Lake Pewaukee
outside of Milwaukee in a home they remodeled together. Sadly he passed away
after suffering a battle with cancer. During her years in Milwaukee she did floral
arranging and pursued her love of watercolor painting.
In 1975, through mutual friends, Ruth was introduced to Ernst L. Collin of Rockford. After a long distance courtship, Ruth retired from Briggs & Stratton and moved
to Rockford where she married Ernst Collin on Dec. 12, 1976 at noon. Mr. Collin
was cofounder of Dixon Automatic Tool and later became President and CEO of
Dixon Components. He preceded her in death in Jan. 2000.
Ruth, an avid gardener, was active in the Rockford Garden Club for many years.
She also continued to pursue water coloring, taking classes with a group taught
by "Christy". Ruth loved dogs, especially, Dachshunds and Welsh Corgis.
She is survived by her stepdaughter, Claudia Collin Moraga of New Mexico,
granddaughters Jeanne Wicks of Basalt, CO and Heidi Wicks; great granddaughter,
Romy Claudia Jean of Denver, Co. and dear friend, Pam Bracken.
Private inurnment will be held in Arlington Memorial Park, Rockford, IL. Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory assisted the family. Express online condolences at: www.fitzgeraldfh.com