Ruth L. Seiler

Ruth L. Seiler, 88, of Rockford died Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center, where she resided for 14 years. She was born in Chicago, IL on June 16, 1928, the daughter of Gunnar and Edith (Anderson) Bruno. Ruth graduated from the Jones Commercial High School in Chicago in 1946, excelling in stenography and business skills. After meeting on a blind date, Ruth married her loving husband, Herbert C. Seiler on February 17, 1951 in Chicago. They were married 52 years before his death in 2003. Ruth worked as a bookkeeper for the Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chicago before beginning her family. Ruth and Herbert had two sons, Curtis and Paul. In 1964 Ruth and her husband purchased the Day’s End Motel in Wisconsin Dells and moved the family to the Dells in 1970. Ruth managed the motel office and did the bookkeeping. They owned and operated the Highlander Motel and Restaurant in Madison until 1986, moving to Rockford in 1987. A highlight for Ruth was a 1984 vacation to Sweden to visit Ruth’s cousins and the ancestral farm birthplace of Ruth’s mother. The Seilers were members of the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Rockford for many years. Ruth’s hobbies included bridge, ceramics, gardening and pinochle. Ruth enjoyed meeting people, making new friends, keeping up with old friends and spending time with her family. Ruth will be missed dearly and will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Ruth is survived by her sons, Curtis (Deborah) of Janesville, WI and Paul (Amy) of Rockford; grandchildren Hudson, Noah, Bonnie, Autumn and Andrew and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Herbert and brothers Leonard and Harold Bruno. Ruth’s family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Peter Phelan and especially to the staff of Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center for all of the loving care and kindness they gave to Ruth.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center, 3470 N. Alpine Rd., Rockford, IL 61114. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Fairhaven. To offer condolences online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.