Ruth Marie Southerland, 86, of Preemption, passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Hope Creek in East Moline.

Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Preemption United Methodist Church, with a luncheon to follow at the VFW Post #8890 - 1810 1st St. East Moline, IL. Ruth's greatest wish was for her family and friends to be together—please join us in honoring her memory and supporting her loved ones.

Ruth was born on November 30, 1938, in Centerville, Iowa, to Marion "Mike" LaMantia and Bruna "Angie" (Bertelli) LaMantia. She married Charles T. "Chuck" Southerland, on August 6, 1955.

She attended Allman High School and worked at Skateland during those years—an activity she cherished and continued into her seventies, skating with her grandchildren. After graduation, she completed beautician school and proudly opened her own salon, "Ruth's", on Avenue of the Cities, which she operated for more than 40 years. Her twelve stylists became like family, sharing decades of friendship, road trips, and cruises.

After retiring from her salon, Ruth worked at JoAnn Fabrics for over 15 years, where she found a true passion for quilting. She taught sewing and quilting classes, and later quilted with her church group, donating hundreds of handmade baby blankets every year.

Ruth loved spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed traveling with her daughter and granddaughters, exploring new places on cruises and trips to Europe. She was also active in numerous sewing groups and participated in many local craft shows throughout the years.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 70 years, Chuck Southerland of Preemption; her children: Jeff Southerland of Andover, IL; Greg (Yolanda) Southerland of Moline, IL; and Debra (Dave) Hippler of Gladbrook, IA; grandchildren: Alushia (Blair) Fitzgerald of IA, Alexis (Alex) Hippler of CO, Andy (Shelby) Hippler of KS, Sabrina (Edward) Oviedo of IL, Nicholas Southerland of IL, and Cody Southerland of IL; and great-grandchildren: Elayna Oviedo and Dominic Oviedo.

She is also survived by her brother Michael LaMantia, sister Gina Corelis, and brother Arron Corelis, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mike LaMantia and Bruna (Angie) Corelis, her stepfather George Corelis, and her brother Tony LaMantia.