In Loving Memory
October 8, 1939-August 31, 2026
Ruth Kingsley, 86, died peacefully on Monday, August 31, 2026. She was born on October 8, 1939 in Park River, ND to David Martin and Alice Constance Meberg. She graduated from high school in Park River in 1957, attended St. Olaf College, and later earned her RN degree from the University of Minnesota in 1962.
She taught nursing until her children were born and then worked for a dermatologist in Arlington Heights, Illinois for over 30 years. Ruth met the love of her life, Burt, while at St. Olaf and they married in August of 1962.
After living in Kalamazoo, Michigan and starting a family, they moved to Arlington Heights in 1968. They had two daughters: Kari (Tom) Niehaus of Leawood, KS and Kirsten Kingsley (Keith Ginnodo) of Arlington Heights. She also had six grandchildren: Madeline, Charlie, and David Niehaus, and Nathanael, Isaac, and Asher Ginnodo, and a bonus 3 grandchildren that married into the family: Joy, Gabby, and Ally.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, her siblings Paul, Urby, Margrete, Bonnie, and Marion, their spouses, and her nephews Mark, Eric, DJ, Arne, and Dean. Ruth was dedicated to all those in her life as a mentor, a role model, and a shepherd. She was loved by those she knew for years and those she just recently met.
Ruth was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church for over 45 years. She enjoyed playing tennis, sewing, book club, sharing time with friends, traveling, and playing the piano every day of her life. She accompanied church choirs, Sunday school music programs, Suzuki violin students, and even played the organ at church. She was everyone’s biggest fan and cheerleader. She rarely missed a sports game, a musical performance, a birthday or graduation for family, neighbors, and friends. She hosted all events, and wanted to be the “fun” house. Friends and family will remember her for her enthusiasm, compassion, interest in others, never ending smile, and of course “good hair”.
In 2020 she was diagnosed with Alzheimers and in 2023 moved to Prairie Elder Care (Overland Park, Kansas) where she was met with grace, dignity, and love. She continued to make an impact on caregivers, residents, families, and even the farm animals there. She was surrounded by love until the end, after a lifetime of loving and caring for others. Her legacy will live on in countless family members and friends.
A Memorial Service will be Monday, September 28, 11 a.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 1234 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL. A memorial visitation will follow from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois at www.lssi.org or to KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at www.kumc.edu/research/alzheimers-disease-research-center
