Ruth Ellen Loomis was born April 8, 1948 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Port Washington, Wisconsin to Florence and Eldred Zirbes. Ruth attended St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School and graduated from Port Washington High School in 1966. She went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh with a degree in elementary education. She would later earn a master’s Degree from Rockford University.
In 1970, Ruth came to Polo, IL where she would teach kindergarten and third grade for thirty-six years. While teaching at Congress School, she met and later married her life’s partner, Larry on June 8, 1974. The couple was married for nearly forty-eight and a half years at the time of Ruth’s death. While they had no children of their own, the couple affected the lives of many children through their devotion to Girl’s Softball, Girl’s Basketball and Polo Soccer for nearly fifty years.
Ruth was a member of the Polo JayCettes and was involved with the many community programs the club provided for children. She also loved to bowl, play golf and of all her favorites, bingo was her forte. Her friends and family referred to her as the Bingo Queen of Northern Illinois.
Ruth has a sister, Patty Eischen of Wichita, Kansas and a brother Richard (Debbie) Zirbes of Chandler, Arizona. She has many nieces and nephews as well. She was preceded in death by her parents.
The family would like to thank the many people who have been supportive of Ruth and her husband during this time. Larry would also like to say thank you for the wonderful care and kindness Ruth received during her time at Pinecrest in Mt. Morris. The family requests all donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
If Ruth could speak now, she would tell all of you who knew and loved her, “It was a great life here in Polo which was made possible by my many friends who were always here for me. Do not mourn for me long but remember me in the happiness and joy we shared together.
Visitation will be Friday, September 30, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m at St. Mary Catholic Church, 211 N. Franklin Ave in Polo. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. with burial at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Polo.
Condolences may be sent to pffh.condolences@gmail.com.
