RUTH WRATE MEMORIAL NURSING SCHOLARSHIP | Chris Wrate & Teri Baits

Contacts: Chris and Sandy Wrate and Teri and Paul Baits

Created in memory of Ruth by the Wrate family, and funded by her daughter Teri (Paul) Baits, her son Chris (Sandy) Wrate, and many friends and family.

OBITUARY
Ruth Anne Wrate (92) passed away peacefully on Feb 3, 2026. She was predeceased by her parents Evelyn Ruth Perry and Frederick Lacey Perry, and her husband Albert S. Wrate. She is survived by her children Teri (Paul) Baits, Chris (Sandy) Wrate, her grandchildren Stuart (Kaylee) Baits and Rachel Baits (Drew Martin), and great-granddaughter Atalie Baits.

Ruth was born in Memphis, Tennessee on August 13, 1933, and was raised in Casper, Wyoming. She graduated from Casper’s Notrona County High School in 1951. Ruth went on to be a student at the University of Wyoming where she met and married Albert “Bert” Wrate on Aug 23rd, 1952, in Casper, Wyoming. They made their home in Belvidere, Illinois, before moving to Rockford, Illinois.

Ruth graduated from Rock Valley College in 1969 with an Associates of Arts degree, Rockford College in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and Northern Illinois University in 1980 with a Masters of Science Degree in Education.

Ruth was employed by the Rockford Public School system as an educator and primarily taught physical education and coached at Guilford and Jefferson High Schools.

Ruth was a life-long learner, an avid quilter, and enjoyed golfing, clogging, and many artistic endeavors including painting and various crafts. Ruth was a girl scout in her youth and a girl scout troop leader as an adult.