Ruth Elaine McCarty Anderson

(March 28, 1934 – April 4, 2026)

Ruth Elaine McCarty Anderson (née Nothnagel), age 92, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2026, in Colorado. She was born in Chicago on March 28, 1934, to Elmer and Eleanor Nothnagel.

Ruth was nicknamed “Rudy” by her father. The family lived in the Northwest side of Chicago. Her longest childhood home was at 4933 Sunnyside Avenue. At the age of seven, she enrolled at St. John’s Lutheran Church and School for second grade on October 6, 1941, where she completed eighth grade before attending Carl Schurz High School.

Music played an important role in Ruth’s early life. Encouraged by her father, she took violin lessons, later playing in the school orchestra and singing in both church and school choirs. During high school, she had a boyfriend named Bill, but due to religious differences—he was Catholic and her father did not approve—the relationship did not continue.

After graduating from high school, Ruth attended Wright Wilbur College for a short time before beginning her career working in office roles.

Ruth formed many deep and lasting friendships throughout her life. Her childhood friends from St. John’s remained close for decades. She also developed strong friendships in high school, notably with Judy Bataille, who remained a dear friend throughout her life. In the 1950s, Ruth and five friends formed a girls’ club and even had custom jackets made with their club name (the CeeBees) on the back. Another special friendship began while Ruth was babysitting—she met Arlena Harriman, with whom she shared a lifelong bond.

Ruth met Earl A. McCarty, Jr., her first husband, at the Hub Roller-Skating Rink and through mutual friends. They were married on September 2, 1956, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. The following summer, they welcomed their first child, Linda, followed by two more children over the next six years, Karen and John.

Determined to provide a stable home for her young family, Ruth worked a night job at Motorola to save money so they could move out of a three-flat they shared with in-laws. Eventually, Earl and Ruth purchased their first home in Villa Park, Illinois.

While raising her children, Ruth worked various part-time jobs. She was known for her strong will and determination, facing life’s challenges with resilience and grace. She supported her husband through difficult years, and although she and Earl divorced around 1977, they remained friends for the rest of his life.

Ruth later transitioned into full-time work. Her first full-time position was as an inventory control clerk at a pinball machine company called Game Plan. On September 15, 1986, she began what would become her longest tenure, working for the Florida Department of Revenue at its Hillside, Illinois location. She retired ten years later; an occasion celebrated with an elaborate retirement party hosted by her colleagues. Throughout her professional career, Ruth built many close friendships that endured for the rest of her life.

Ruth was deeply devoted to her family. She shared a particularly close bond with her three “Chicago” granddaughters—Rachel, Robin, and Rebecca—frequently hosting overnight visits and taking them on special outings. Following the passing of her son, John, Ruth felt called to make a change and relocated to Colorado to be closer to her daughter Karen.

She settled into Arbordale Acres, a 55+ senior community that quickly became her home and community. Living there allowed her to spend cherished time with her two other grandchildren, Amanda and Melissa. Ruth enjoyed participating in senior bus trips, and it was on one of these outings that she met Ken Anderson, who would become her second husband.

Ruth and Ken were married in 2004 and made their home together in Lafayette, Colorado. Over the next ten years, they traveled extensively and shared many meaningful experiences. Ken was a devoted and loving partner. Though Ken was Methodist and Ruth was Lutheran, they honored each other’s faith by attending services at both churches together.

Ruth is survived by her daughters, Linda McCarty (Larry Burzynski) and Karen Mika; her stepdaughters Peggy, Elizabeth, Sue, and Jane; her sister Dorothy Dorman, age 94; she is also survived by many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren along with her dear friends Judy Bataille and Arlena Harriman.

She was preceded in death by her son, John McCarty, and husband, Kenneth Anderson.

Ruth will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Service Information

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, in the New Dublin Liveoak Cemetery.