Ruth Elizabeth (Cromien) Youngberg

Ruth Elizabeth (Cromien) Youngberg, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2025.

Born in Kewanee, Illinois, Ruth grew up on a farm in Galva alongside her six siblings. She attended Cromien Community School and graduated from Galva High School in 1951. Following high school, Ruth pursued her calling as a nurse, attending Saint Frances School of Nursing in Kewanee, a career she took immense pride in.

In the 1960s, Ruth moved to Arizona, where she raised her four children Mike, Teresa, Doug, and Kathleen. She treasured time with family and spent summers camping across most of the United States, creating unforgettable memories on their travels. She dedicated her career to caring for others, first as a labor and delivery nurse at Northwest Hospital and later as a beloved school nurse at Mitchell School, where she found a second family.

Sports were at the heart of Ruth’s life. She played softball for the Sweat Servicettes, was a fierce competitor in the legendary Cromien Olympics, and remained an enthusiastic sports fan throughout her life. She cheered passionately for Notre Dame, held season tickets for ASU football and the Phoenix Suns for many years, and never missed an opportunity to support her family in competition. She traveled far and wide to watch her children and grandchildren compete, from the youth leagues through their collegiate careers. Whether she was playing or cheering from the stands, Ruth’s competitive spirit and love for sports never wavered.

Ruth is survived by her brother, John Cromien; her children, Mike Youngberg (Christina), Teresa Youngberg (Lee), and Doug Youngberg (Lori); her grandchildren, Matthew Haeger (Kayla), Kayce Bryck (Drew), Lauren Haeger, Shawn Youngberg (Jacqueline), and Jena Rogers (Brandon); and her great-grandchildren, Adelyn Haeger, Jane Rogers, and Kieran Bryck.

She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Anna Cromien; her siblings, Mary Terry, Bernie Cromien, Margaret Schula, Rosemary Kempin, and Leo Cromien; and her beloved daughter, Kathleen Haeger and son-in-law, Fred Haeger.

A Mass of Remembrance was held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Glendale, AZ on March 13, followed by a luncheon at her son’s home. She will be laid to rest at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 2 at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kewanee, Illinois.

Ruth’s kindness, dedication, and unwavering love for her family and sports will be deeply missed. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the memories she created.

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