Ruth Helen Heim

Ruth Helen Heim

Roselle, Ill.

Ruth Helen Heim passed away on May 11, 2022.

Ruth was born Jan. 17, 1949, in Bellevue, Iowa to Robert F. Heim and Bernice C. (Roling) Heim. She graduated from Leo High School in Holy Cross, Iowa, in 1967, and then attended Patricia Stevens College in Chicago, Ill., in 1968.

Ruth accepted a position at United Airlines where she worked for 36 years until her retirement. She worked in reservations, special charters flights and Hawaii vacation packages.

Ruth met the love of her life, Bob Chabak, and they were united in marriage on July 28, 1979. They settled down in Roselle, Ill., where they bought and renovated a home together. They enjoyed antiques and crafting. Ruth and Bob had a wonderful life together until his passing on July 12, 1990.

Ruth always made sure that family and friends received birthday and holiday cards, often with news articles or cartoon clippings enclosed.

Ruth was a caregiver. Family and friends that were in need were always a priority to her. She would drop everything and do whatever she could to help those in need.

Travel was an important part of her life for both work and leisure, and Ruth passed that on to her grandkids. She took them on wonderful adventures and showed them unique places on their summer vacations. After each trip, Ruth put together scrapbooks with photos from the trip so they could be fondly remembered by her grandchildren.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Chabak; stepdaughter, Stacy Chabak; son-in-law, Matt Fiala; parents and step-mother, Shirley Heim; nieces and nephews, Hedi Heim, Kimberly Wessels, Rob Roling and James Sudmeier; and brother-in-law, Bill Chabak.

Ruth is survived by her step-daughter, Kim Chabak; grandchildren, Cory (Kim) Fiala, Kevin (Hayleigh Rowe) Fiala, Kurtis Dix, Kora-lee Dix, Keeler Dix, Kesslyn Dix; great-grandchildren, Kenneth Carter and Rowen Fiala; siblings, Thomas (Bev) Heim of New Albin, Iowa, Patricia (George) Penokie of Rochester, Minn., Harold (Sherri) Heim of Manchester, Iowa, Alice (Dale) Roling of Prairie Du Chien, Wis., Rosalie (Russell) Sudmeier of New Vienna, Iowa, Brenda (Pat) Wessels of Dyersville, Iowa, Marvin (Laurie) Heim of Decorah, Iowa, George Heim of Dubuque, Iowa, Kenneth (Bonnie) Heim of Caledonia, Minn., Frank (Michelle) Heim of Platteville, Wis., Karen (Greg) Amadon of Seattle, Wash., and David (Laurie) Heim of Luxemburg, Iowa; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mary Hartman of Versailles, Mo., Dodie Chabak Stiefel of Sioux City, Iowa, Cheryl (Ed) Allen of Fairfax, Iowa, Carol (Jeff) Stiefel of Independence, Iowa, Alice (Rick) Rizzato of Las Vegas, Nev., and Dorita Chabak of Decatur, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Ruth will be held at DuPage Memorial Chapel (951 W. Washington St., West Chicago, Ill.) on Saturday, June 25, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a service beginning at 11:30 a.m. A visitation will also be held at St. Francis Xavier Grade School Auditorium (203 Second St., Dyersville, Iowa) on July 2, 2022, from 10 a.m. to noon, where a memorial service will commence at noon. Private burial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Camp Courageous, c/o George Heim, 12007 190th St., P.O. Box 418, Monticello, IA 52310-0418; campcourageous.org/; (319) 465-5916.

The family would like to specially thank Amita Health Alexian Brothers Hospice staff for their wonderful care and compassion during Ruth’s final days.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family and information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com. Online condolences and memorials may be sent to Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave. SW, Dyersville, IA 52040.