Ruth E. Bedale (maiden name Tiedt), 88, of Mt. Horeb, WI, died October 26 with her children by her side after a brief illness.  Ruth was the beloved wife of the late Irwin “Butch” Eggert and was later married for many happy years to Joe L. Bedale.

Ruth was born January 13, 1930 in Hinsdale, IL, and grew up in Tiedtville, a small town now encompassed by Burr Ridge, IL. After graduating from high school in 1947 from Lyons Township High School, she enjoyed working as a secretary for many years at Argonne National Laboratory, where she was present the first time nuclear energy was used to produce electricity to light a building.  She also worked at her uncle’s business, Santa Fe Speedway.

In 1950, Ruth married Butch Eggert, who died in the Korean War.  She later married Joe Bedale, with whom she raised twins, Joe and Wendy in Joliet, IL.  In 1976, Ruth and her family moved to Pekin, IL, where Ruth worked as a school secretary.  In later years she lived in Suffolk, VA, working at Smithfield Elementary School. In retirement, Ruth moved to, Spring Hill, Fl. The last three years Ruth lived near her daughter in Mount Horeb, WI.

Ruth lived a long life, filled with many interests, friends, and family.  As a young woman, she owned a motorboat named Trouble and loved to water ski.  Ruth was an expert seamstress and greatly enjoyed knitting, gardening, playing cards (especially pinochle and euchre), reading, and puzzles of all kinds. She loved lilacs, chocolate, music, beer, spending time at the beach, lighthouses, and hunting for (and eating) berries and wild asparagus.  Above all other earthly things, Ruth loved spending time with family and friends.  Over the years, she attended church in various communities, including Trinity Lutheran Church in Burr Ridge, IL and most recently Barneveld Congregational United Church of Christ in Barneveld, WI.  She was a member of many groups and volunteered for many organizations, especially when she retired in Florida. She was a generous, positive spirit in this world.

Ruth was the loving mother of Joe Bedale, and his spouse, Ann, of Owassa, OK and Wendy Bedale (husband Duane Kaufman) of Hollandale, WI.  A great joy in her life was her grandson, George Alan Bedale (Owassa, OK).  Ruth was the dear sister of Gerald (Dorothy) Tiedt, Alan (Maureen) Tiedt, the late Ralph Tiedt, Jr. and the late David “Pudge” (Pat) Tiedt.  She was the fond aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at 10 am until time of the funeral service (11am) on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 11500 German Church Road, Burr Ridge, IL 60527.  Interment will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church (address above), Barneveld Congregational United Church of Christ (104 S Jones St, Barneveld, WI 53507), or the Alzheimer’s Association would be greatly appreciated.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home at 708/352-6500