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Ruth Ann Hanks, formerly of Algonquin, Illinois passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026. Ruth will be
dearly missed by her children (and their spouses) Bill (Gina), Sharon (Chad), and Steven (Carol), and
grandchildren Nathaniel, Anthony, Matthew, Bridget, Megan, and Aaron. Born to her parents, Rudolph
(Sr.) and Frances Martin on April 4, 1940, Ruth will be missed by her surviving siblings, Charles Martin
and Carol Collins. Ruth was preceded in passing by her daughter, Christine D. Hanks; her husband,
William T. Hanks III; and her brother, Rudolph A. Martin.
Ruth graduated from Proviso High School in Maywood, IL in 1958. She went on to earn her Registered
Nursing degree, leading to her jobs at Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin, IL and Good Shepherd Hospital in
Barrington IL. After her career in formal nursing, Ruth was a camp nurse at Camp Algonquin in
Algonquin, IL and later a caretaker at Senior Services Associates, Inc. in Elgin, IL. She also owned and
operated a small business at the State Street Market Shops in Elgin, IL. In her younger retirement days,
Ruth enjoyed spending time with her family on her boat on Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin, before
trading it in to tour the country in a motorhome and later, relaxing with husband, Bill in Florida.
In lieu of flowers or other gesture, a donation in memory of the deceased may be made to St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html).
Cremation rites were accorded privately.
Memorial observance scheduled for 3 PM to 7 PM on Wednesday March 11, 2026 at Cardinal Funeral &
Cremation Services, Ltd. (cardinalfuneral.com), in Crystal Lake, IL
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth Ann Hanks, please visit our floral store.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: http://www.stjude.org/