Rev. Ruth E. Van Demark 1944-2012

Reverend Ruth E. Van Demark died on June 9, 2012 at Northwestern Memorial Medical Center in Chicago Illinois. She died from metastatic breast cancer.

Ruth was born on May 16, 1944 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her parents were Dr. Robert and Bertie Van Demark. She grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from Washington Senior High School in 1962. Ruth graduated from Vassar College in 1966 and from Harvard Divinity School in 1969. She graduated from University of Connecticut Law School in 1976.

Ruth married Leland Wilkinson on June 23, 1967. They had two daughters, Amie and Caroline.

She joined the Chicago law firm of Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon—now Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP—as one of the firm's first female associates in 1976. She subsequently became an equity partner and headed the firm's appellate group. She served as president of the Appellate Lawyers Association of Illinois and sat on the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee from 1996 to 2002. She argued numerous appeals to the Illinois Supreme Court.

Ruth left her accomplished legal career to become a Lutheran minister. After studying at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and interning at Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park, Ruth became the pastor of Wicker Park Lutheran Church in Chicago in 2001. Under her leadership, the church launched successful efforts to build the congregation, raise funds for the church's physical rehabilitation, and connect the church to the community.

She is survived by her husband, Leland; two daughters, Amie and Caroline; son-in-law Benson Farb; two grandchildren, Beatrice and Felix Farb; her mother, Bertie Van Demark; and two brothers, Robert., Jr. and Richard Van Demark.

Memorials may be sent to Children's Home Society, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Services were held on June 23, 2012.