Cheryl Hope Ruth

Cheryl Hope Ruth passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on July 17, 2026, at the age of 73.

Born on February 16, 1953, in Waukegan, Illinois, Cheryl was raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a place she always considered home. She was an artist, entrepreneur, mentor, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who never stopped reinventing herself and inspiring others to do the same.

Cheryl’s entrepreneurial journey began in Kenosha, where she opened a business specializing in plaster sculptures and figurines that customers could paint themselves. Her own artistic talent earned multiple awards, and she expanded the business three times in just six years. During that time, she proudly served as President of the Uptown Association in Kenosha, helping support and promote the local business community she loved.

Cheryl also found deep purpose working with adults with special needs, where she developed educational curriculum and client evaluation standards. Her compassion extended beyond her career through her involvement with Special Olympics and fundraising efforts for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, always looking for ways to help others.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Cheryl later took over an established foreign car automotive repair and body shop, Toyota Specialists, expanded the business, and successfully sold it four years later.

After moving to Prescott Valley, Arizona, Cheryl became a flight attendant, traveling throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico while sharing many of those adventures with her loving husband, George.

Her entrepreneurial spirit continued when she started with a single hot dog cart outside Ace Hardware. That humble beginning grew into Babe Ruth Concessions, a successful business that Cheryl and George built together over thirteen years. They operated concession stands at the baseball fields in Prescott and Prescott Valley while also serving special events throughout the West Coast.

Cheryl loved the concession business. She thrived on its fast pace, loved running the operation, and especially enjoyed interacting with customers. It wasn’t just about serving food. It was about creating experiences, building relationships, and bringing people together.

Outside of work, Cheryl never lost her love for creativity. She enjoyed arts and crafts, painting, and expressing herself through her artistic talents. In her younger years, she loved sports cars, go-kart racing, and dressing up. She appreciated beautiful things but was

never defined by them. Friends and family will remember her as fearless, compassionate, and authentic. She wasn’t afraid to take risks or chart her own course, and she inspired others to do the same. She lived with confidence, loved generously, and embraced every new chapter with optimism.

Above all, Cheryl's greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her devoted husband, George Ruth; her son Bryon Zapf and his partner, Florin Radu; her son Tyler Savage, his wife, Tiffany, and her granddaughter, Taelyn; her beloved sisters, Gail Voigt and Gloria Boscher; and George's children, Clint Ruth and his wife, Jen, Dan Ruth and his wife, Becky, and Tracie Richards.

Believe.

It wasn’t just something she said. It was the way she lived. She believed in taking chances, working hard, helping others, and trusting that every new beginning held the promise of something better.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, in September. Details will be shared with family and friends at a later date.

As we celebrate Cheryl’s life, may we honor her by embracing new adventures, lifting up those around us, and never being afraid to start something new.

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Lovingly dedicated by her husband, George:

“My precious wife, I miss you.”