Albena Stephanie Ruther

Albena Ruther (nee Kasper), 97, died at her home in Smith Village on Monday, November 12. She was born December 26, 1920 to John and Anele Kasper, Lithuanian immigrants living in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago, and was a 66 year resident of the Beverly area.

Albena was an exceptional woman of many interests and talents with a profound dedication to her family. Best known for her beautiful operatic soprano voice, as a young woman she sang on WGN radio and in the opera then later joined the Alice Stevens Singers, performing in concerts throughout the city, both with the group and as a soloist. Albena later joined the Beverly Hills Junior Woman’s Club where shstarted a chorus and directed many musical programs and also plays for children. Following her music career, she worked part-time in legal offices in the Beverly neighborhood and, when her children were older, worked downtown as the personal legal secretary to the Honorable Mr. James Dooley and then Mr. Leonard Ring, one of the top personal injury lawyers in Chicago. Upon retiring, she volunteered in the gift shop at Little Company of Mary Hospital, which she continued to do for 25 years.

Albena loved to sew and made Halloween costumes for her young family, dresses for her daughters’ special events and even Amish quilts. Her parents only spoke Lithuanian, and so she did not speak English until the age of 6. However, Albena always loved to read and write, and by high school, she became editor of her school newspaper. A voracious reader, Albena loved learning about history, people and different cultures and also kept up with current events, reading the Sunday New York Times cover to cover well into her nineties.

Despite the fulfillment she received from pursuing her many passions, nothing brought her greater joy than her family. Through her talents, she brought to her home the warmth of her music, her projects, and her wise counsel, with her love and devotion providing an anchor to the family. She was always in touch with each person’s needs and was there to support and encourage her children’s growth and education. Her contagious laugh, her positive and curious spirit and her presence in our lives will be sorely missed.

Her beautiful life will forever be cherished by her children Christine (Robert) Hibbard, Nancy (Steven) Schwab, Rob (Kelly) Ruther, grandchildren Lauren Hibbard, Allison (Brian) Whalen, Annie Schwab, Abigail Ruther, and many nieces and nephews. Albena is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Robert, and her parents, John and Anele Kasper, her brother and sister-in-law Richard and Bernice Kasper, and many sisters- and brothers-in-law.

A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, November 24, at Blake Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W. 103rd St. Oak Lawn, IL 60453 with visitation at 10:30 and a tribute at noon. Interment will be private. The family would also like to thank the devoted staff of Smith Village and her caretaker, Eileen Foley.