Betty B. Ruben

Bella "Betty" Ruben, nee Dermer, 97, daughter of the late Abraham Isaac (Abe) and Yetta, nee Schmidt, Dermer; beloved wife of 67 years of the late Fred A. Ruben; loving mom of Carol (Jeffrey) Clark and David (Josie Howard) Ruben; cherished grandma of the "Magnificent Seven" — Jennifer (Chad) Kinney, Courtney (Justin) Opsahl, Emily (Tyler) Opperman, Joshua (Katherine Dorn) Clark, William (Lisa Daul) Ruben, Jamison (Nicole Bono) Ruben, and Nicholas Ruben; adoring GiGi of Cooper and Grayson Opsahl, Ellis, Porter, and Asa Opperman, Charlotte and Matthew Clark, William (Liam) and Brooklyn Ruben, and Joelle, Corey (CJ), and Chloe Ruben; dear sister of the late Annette Dermer and the late Harold Dermer; devoted sister-in-law of the late Marilyn Dermer and the late Al and Lois Weber; beloved aunt and cousin, and a treasured friend to all who had the joy of knowing her.

Betty graduated from Von Steuben High School and embarked on a varied professional life. She worked as a bookkeeper for H. Cantin & Associates and Rolph Jensen & Associates, sold advertising specialties for H. Dermer & Associates, and served as co-director at Burr Oaks Camp and Camp Twilight. She later devoted herself fully to the role she cherished most — raising her beloved children, Carol and David.

One of her deepest passions was basketball. A devoted fan of both the Northwestern Wildcats and the Chicago Bulls, she and Fred held season tickets for the Wildcats for decades, rarely missing a game. She could talk hoops with anyone and frequently did, turning strangers into friends while sitting in the stands. She was truly her grandchildren's biggest fan, attending and lovingly recording nearly every sporting event, recital, or program, directing Fred on the camera.

Celebration was Betty's love language, and she never missed a milestone in her family's life. She was always ready with a heartfelt, memorable toast, and you could always count on a phone call to sing "Happy Birthday" with her own unique style. She loved to sing and dance and was always ready to serenade friends and family. Long lunches at Michael's, old-fashioned walks, and any chance to be surrounded by the people she loved were among her greatest pleasures.

Betty loved to craft trinkets, make homemade cards, and bake with love — and nearly every time you left her house, you went home with a tin full of brownies, a stomach full of sour cream pancakes, or something handmade to treasure. Her limitless Betty Boop collection held a special place in her heart and in her home, so much so that there was nearly a whole bedroom dedicated to it.

Her warmth, her humor, her infectious laugh, and her fierce love for family defined everything she did. Betty was the kind of person who made you feel, from the moment you met her, that you had known her your whole life. She will be missed, but the memories she created with the people in her life will live forever.

Memorial service Sunday, July 19, 10:00 a.m. at Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, 111 Skokie Blvd, Wilmette. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, P.O. Box 5041, Boone, IA; the Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014; the New Lake View Alumni Association, P.O. Box 57882, Chicago, IL 60657; or to a charity of your choice.