Ruth Mary (Biro) DeFreeuw, 94, of South Bend passed away peacefully on Tuesday October 20, 2026, at home surrounded by family.

Ruth was born on December 13, 1931, in South Bend to the late Stephen and Emma (Jensen) Biro. Growing up during the Great Depression taught Ruth the values of resourcefulness and gratitude. With both parents working she often said she was the original latch-key kid.

She was a proud graduate of Riley High School and attended Kalamazoo College and Indiana University South Bend, before fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse, graduating from Memorial Hospital’s nursing program in 1976.  Ruth loved babies and worked in Memorial’s NICU and as the Director of Memorial’s Mother Baby Unit until her retirement in 1995.

On October 27, 1951, she married her beloved husband James DeFreeuw, sharing 69 years of marriage before his passing in 2021.

Ruth’s retirement brought new opportunities for service. She volunteered for a time with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and after she and Jim moved to South Carolina, she spent several years working at United Ministries of Sumter, SC. After 15 years the couple returned to South Bend to be closer to family.

Focused on fitness and strength as an older adult, Ruth enjoyed walking, tai chi and water aerobics. An avid reader, she loved the library and Barnes and Noble. Ruth had an eye for detail in both her apparel and in decorating her home and her taste in both was impeccable. She loved works of art, trips to museums and the theater, and especially enjoyed classical and instrumental music. Ruth led a life filled with faith and kindness. She always took the time to send a handwritten note with a clipping or two or a scripture verse to encourage and support friends and family alike. She had a special and abiding love for her family but was most fond of her grandchildren.

Surviving are her three daughters, Anne L. DeFreeuw of South Bend, Mary Pat Whiteman-Gring of South Bend, and Catherine L. (Pete) Matthews of Trenton, Illinois; three sons, Lawrence A. DeFreeuw of South Bend, Christopher J. DeFreeuw of Greenwood, IN, and Stephen A. (Emiko) DeFreeuw of Bolingbrook, Illinois; her grandchildren, Christopher, Cara, LJ, Andrew, Megan, Darren, Patrick, David, Ben, Matthew, Connor, Grace, Cally, Mary, Addison, Jackson and Noah; 11 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Also left to cherish her memory are in-laws Kenneth (Kenny) DeFreeuw, Julius (JR) and Marsha DeFreeuw, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jim, her sister, Dorothy Kantz, her sister-in-law Zorka DeFreeuw, and grandchildren Lisbeth and Jacob.

In keeping with her wishes, no services will be held.

She will be laid to rest at a later date at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend.

Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel is caring for the family at this time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ruth’s name may be made to the Center for Hospice 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

Online condolences may be sent via the Palmer Funeral Homes website at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

10/24/2026 djb