Ruth Bivens

RUTH JEANETTE BIVENS

Age 81 of Mazon, passed away Tuesday evening June 14, 2005 at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

Born June 28, 1923 in Sydney, North Dakota, Ruth was a daughter of the late Thomas and Lillian (Redman) Derby. She was raised and educated in South Dakota and graduated with the Montpelier High School Class of 1942. After high school Ruth attended business and secretarial college in San Francisco, California where she met Donald Bivens whom she married on September 14, 1946. Ruth and Donald moved back to the area after marriage and lived most of their married life in Mazon, where they owned and operated D and R Restaurant in Mazon for over ten years. Ruth had also worked as the head cook for Grundy County Nursing Home. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris and the National Federation of the Blind. Ruth enjoyed cooking, crocheting, gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband of 58 years: Donald; Five sons: Carroll (Martha) Bivens of Gardner, Barry (Susan) Bivens of Mazon, Donald (Ruby) Bivens of Plano, Lee Bivens of Morris and Randall (Athena) Bivens of The Colony, Texas. (12) grandchildren: Rick, Jeanette, Laura, Jeremy (Sarah), Joshua (Laura) and Jonathan Bivens, Gayle Ruble and Christopher, Justin, Tabitha, Matthew and Faith Bivens and four great grandchildren: Justis, Ethan, Breanne and Oliva, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Irving and Darold Derby and one nephew Darrel Derby.

Visitation will be held on Thursday June 16, 2005 between the hours of 4:00 and 8:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington Street (one block East of Illinois Route 47) in Morris.

Funeral services will follow on Friday June 17th, with a Mass of Christian Burial being celebrated in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris at 10:00 AM with Rev. Al Heidecke and Deacon Bob Stansberry officiating.

Burial will be in Mazon Brookside Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Rick Bivens, Jeremy Bivens, Joshua Bivens, Jonathan Bivens, Christopher Bivens, Justin Bivens and Matthew Bivens.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Ruth's name to her family for distribution to charities of their choice.