Ruth R. Earl, 77, of Freeport, died Saturday, September 8, 2012, at St. Joseph Provena Home. Ruth was born on October 10, 1934, in Carroll County, the daughter of Charles and Flossie (Bowden) Rowland. On March 19, 1960, Ruth and Harold "Pete" Earl were married in Nashua, Iowa. Harold died March 3, 1989. Ruth worked at Micro Switch-Honeywell for 32 years. She was a member of the Ladies of the Moose, Eagle Auxiliary, and the Red Hat Society. Bowling and dancing with friends were some of her favorite hobbies. Ruth will be missed dearly by all of her friends.

Survivors include two daughters; Jackie (Dean) Ritschard, of Monroe, Vikki (Bob) Brinker, of Lena, one brother; Charles (Helen) Rowland, of Oregon, WI., two sisters; Ardith (Bill) Demontigny of Beloit, WI. and Betty Jones of Freeport, eight grandchildren; Amy (Tim) Garwell, Dawn (Bryan) Ritschard, Geoff (Nichole Goodman) Williams, Jennifer Rabenstein, Amy (Justin) Mills, Traci (Matt) Rose, Tim (Amy) Carroll and Erica Coyle. Also surviving are 13 great-grandchildren.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband; Harold "Pete" Earl, daughter; Melody Kay Rabenstein, six brothers, five sisters and one grandson; Joey Rabenstein.

Funeral services for Mrs. Ruth will be 11 a.m. Wednesday September 12, at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home, Pastor Steve Rios will officiate. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Burke Tubbs. Memorials can be made out to Leonard Ferguson Cancer Center. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Please sign the guestbook at www.burketubbs.com.