SR0685 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0685 LRB104 21216 RMO 35779 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to congratulate Ruth Perejda Deram Buehrer on the occasion of her 100th birthday on January 16, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Buehrer, born on January 16, 1926, has lived in Libertyville nearly all of her 100 years; in her youth, she loved jumping rope and playing jacks with the nuns at the seminary; her family owned a combination tavern, store, and gas station, Pine Tree Corners, where she met Al Capone; she attended Libertyville Township High School, now Libertyville High School, where she was a majorette and also one of the first female drum majors in the school's history; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Buehrer has worked in a variety of occupations, including as an AT&T switchboard operator, Lakeco/North Shore Sign secretary, St. Lawrence Episcopal Church sexton, and in real estate; she ran for mayor of Libertyville in 1973, and although she did not win, her campaign resulted in an otherwise unopposed candidate writing a platform; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Buehrer has volunteered for many organizations, including Lambs Farm, the Libertyville Historical Society, Lions Club, and the Lakeside Cemetery Board and Veterans Memorial; she has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 70 years, serving as its president for 20 years; she previously played Mrs. Santa at the MainStreet Libertyville holiday celebration for 18 years; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Buehrer has always loved caring for dogs, cats, and other animals; she enjoys bowling, having founded the ladies' Majorettes bowling league and bowled for over 60 years, as well as watching sports and game shows on television, playing bingo, and listening to big band music; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Buehrer has been a member of the St. Lawrence Episcopal Church for more than 75 years; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Buehrer is the matriarch of a large family; she and her late husband Ray DeRam had four children, Phyllis, the late Kathy, Michele, and James, and she also has 14 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren; she later married Richard Buehrer, who has since passed away; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Ruth Perejda Deram Buehrer on celebrating her 100th birthday; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Ruth Buehrer as an expression of our esteem and respect.