Ruth Rees

Ruth Rees died peacefully in January, 2026 in Tempe, Arizona after a brave, year-long fight related to pancreatic cancer and her recovery from cancer surgery.

Ruth was born in Chicago, Illinois to Frida and August Juergensen. Ruth married Robert Rees (Bob) in Lake Forest, Illinois. Together they began careers in teaching and coaching in “Hoosiers” fashion at small country high schools in Bath and Oregon, Illinois, where Ruth traded her Highland Park heels for sneakers and a whistle. Their professional path took them on to Arlington Heights, Illinois where they lovingly started their family with David and James. She graduated from Illinois State University completing a long-desired goal to finish her degree.

Ruth and Bob pursued a second chapter of life when they moved to Chandler and then Sun Lakes. They loved the Arizona lifestyle. Some of their favorite activities included playing golf, attending ASU basketball games and enjoying 12 out of 12 months of the great outdoors – particularly the Arizona mountain regions and watching desert sunsets.

Ruth greatly enjoyed having an active life, especially playing (and competing at!) golf, where she proudly won two Sun Lakes Ironwood Ladies League championships, as well as her lifetime highlight round breaking 90 at Torrey Pines in California at 80. She also enjoyed multiple journeys to Europe and Asia in addition to frequent road trips exploring history around the Southwest.

Ruth worked at Caterpillar Financial for several years, and also served the community, volunteering through the Chandler Chapter of PEO, and as an active member of Mission del Sol Presbyterian Church in Tempe. Many of her charitable endeavors focused on education – she was the chair for her PEO chapter’s Program for Continuing Education and was still volunteering in enhanced reading programs in the Tempe Elementary School District at the age of 88.

Family was important to Ruth. She loved her family and time with son Dave (Anna, grandsons Kevin and Edward), in Hong Kong, and Jim (Julie, grandsons Bobby and Jack). Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Bob, and also her brother Hein. She spent her final year deeply committed to beating cancer in the excellent hands of Friendship Village Care Center in Tempe where she received exceptional support through daily visits by her many friends and family.

A constant in Ruth’s life was the importance she attached to her personal relationships. Through her sporting, service and spiritual life, Ruth continually engaged with a wide social network that will fondly remember her many contributions where she enjoyed crafting a purposeful personal role in Arizona. Ruth will be remembered for her curiosity and openness to many diverse people as well as her forceful personality, which was matched with a sharp wit and strong sense of humor and love of fun.

Services will be held on Saturday, February 7, 10:00 a.m. at Mission del Sol Presbyterian Church, located at 1565 E. Warner Rd., Tempe, AZ 85284. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ruth’s honor can be sent to Mission del Sol Presbyterian Church or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014 or www.hov.org.