Ruth Ann Blackburn's Obituary
Ruth Ann Blackburn (nee Lien) transitioned from her earthly life in the early hours of Sunday, October 6, 2024. She and her baby sister, affectionately called Little Lamb, had their final sleepover. Without question, Ruth Ann was surrounded by such great love until her very last breath.
Ruth Ann was born in Edgerton, WI. She moved to Florida in 1970, living mostly in Clearwater and recently at St. Mark Village in Palm Harbor. As she often did, Ruth Ann traveled to Illinois to visit her sister, Julie Mae Costello, niece, Kathleen (Kate) Costello Feldman (Jerry), great nieces, Margaret Susanna and Helen Mae Feldman, and great nephew, Finn Jerome Feldman, in July. While there, her health declined, and she made the brave decision to move into hospice care. She was able to come home to her sister’s house on her 84th birthday, September 13, 2024, where she lived out her final days in Morris, IL surrounded by love, laughter, comfort, and joy. The family is forever grateful to have shared such beautiful moments together and are so thankful for all those who expressed love and support throughout the journey.
Ruth Ann, is the daughter of Walter Hartwick and Margaret Evelyn (Cruse) of Cambridge, WI; they preceded her in death. She met the love of her life, Wallace (Wally) Wayne Blackburn, in the mid 1980s and a beautiful life of love was born. A woman like no other, her light shone bright. In fact, that was likely what drew Wally to her, her dynamic personality, gift for easy conversation, and her passion for fun were all well known and will be greatly missed. Wally was the calm, gentle, tender, loving, wise, and stable force in her life and it’s no secret that he has been deeply missed by her. They were united in marriage on August 24, 1986. She was blessed with Wally’s children, Janet Elizabeth Blackburn, Keith James (Lisa) Blackburn, Nancy Lynn Jones, Sharon Rose (Steve) Linton, Timothy Andrew Blackburn, and Theresa Anne (Greg) Brown. Over the years, the family has grown to include grandchildren, Jeremy Wayne and Dillon Wallace Blackburn, Robert Wayne and Wallace Wade Jones, Christina Elizabeth and Stephanie Rose Linton, and Gabriel Hunter Brown, and several great grandchildren.
Ruth was a proud Blue Jay, graduating in the Class of 1958, from Cambridge High School. She attended Luther College, fondly remembering the hymn sings she participated in while there. She worked as a Physical Education teacher for a number of years. The family benefitted from that knowledge, especially in a memorable game of “The Lien Family Olympics”. Upon retirement, she was active in the community in many roles including being a member of Heritage Methodist Church, Countryside Country Club, Morton Plant Hospital Auxiliary, and Clearwater Community Woman’s Club, and as an usher at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Ruth Ann was an incredible hostess who always found ways to make the event extra special or find that perfect gift for the one she was celebrating. She loved to travel and enjoyed many trips during her lifetime including grand adventures with her husband that almost certainly resulted in great stories to be shared for years to come. She continued her passion for making extra special memories on those trips. Her sister, fondly remembers a trip to northern Michigan with Ruth Ann and their mother, where Ruth Ann made fresh coffee, grilled steaks, and made baked potatoes, all at a road side grill overlooking Lake Superior. Ruth Ann was an avid golfer and wore her signature Birkenstocks on the course and incredibly tanned feet off the course! She was always up for a riveting game of cards, dominoes, backgammon, or a board game. A love of music and singing were part of the very essence of who she was; you would often hear her singing or humming (even until her last days), and if the line of a song happened to come up in conversation, you can bet she’d start singing it out loud. For years, Ruth Ann has shared that having sundaes to celebrate her life would be a real treat, so the next time you have a sundae, please think of her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, father, mother, brother Walter (Wally) Herman Lien, sister Mary Helen Anderson, and granddaughter Amanda Nicole Blackburn. She is survived by her sister, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
If you wish, a donation in her name would be appreciated. Lightways Hospice provided incredible care and support to her and her Illinois family www.lightways.org/donate. St. Mark Village Continuing Care Fund is also a cause worth considering.
Services are as follows: 10/22/24 at St. Mark Village Visitation: 12:30pm-2pm Funeral: 2pm
It was Ruth Ann’s wish to be laid to rest with her beloved husband. The family feels it a touching tribute that this will happen 20 years to the date of Wally’s own burial. Burial will, however, be private.
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