Tamara Kay Ruter

Tamara Kay (Graham) Ruter, age 43, of Mt. Carroll, IL, passed away from sudden health complications at FHN Hospital in Freeport, on June 28, 2024. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 8 at Zion Community Church of Pearl City. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, July 7 at the Church, as well as one hour prior to Monday's service. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery, in rural Mt. Carroll.

Tamara was born August 29, 1980, in Rochester, MN, the daughter of Gary and Gloria (Gleason) Graham. She graduated from Mayo High School with the class of 1998, and enrolled at Winona State University, graduating with a degree in criminal justice, in 2002. She soon carved out a career in real estate, serving as a realtor and member of the Realtor Association, for more than 20 years.

On June 15, 2019, Tamara married Jared Ruter, at Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon, IL. Together they had a daughter, Ella Mae. Though Tamara was accomplished in many aspects of her life, Ella was definitely her biggest accomplishment. Though they only had 6 years together, the memories they made will be cherished forever and live on through Ella.

Tamara had a deep love for horses; and watching her start to share that love with her Ella Mae was a beautiful thing. She enjoyed trail riding and sorting and penning, and really anything that involved tending to her horses, or any animal. Her compassion and love for animals was unrivaled. She and Jared kept all sorts, ranging from horses to goats to peacocks, and many more.

Tamara, Jared, and Ella Mae took many family trips to local and regional Rodeos, and loved a good camping trip. Anything that resulted in her little family going out and doing things together were by far her most cherished times. Tamara always had quite a taste in music and loved enjoying many concerts with family and friends.

Tamara always wanted to better her community. She was a member of the Jo Daviess County Mounted Patrol, the Stockton School Board, and Berreman Township Board.

Tamara was a beautifully strong-willed, kind, and passionate person. She had a quick sense of humor and loved to laugh. She was hardworking, motivated, and successful in so many aspects of her life. She made an impact on many lives and will be forever missed.

Her departure comes as a great shock and is gravely felt by her entire family and countless others who loved her deeply in her wide network of community.

Tamara will be dearly missed by her husband, Jared Ruter; daughter, Ella Mae Ruter; father Gary Graham of Pine Island, MN; mother, Gloria Gleason, of Lake Carroll, IL; father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Kayla Ruter, of Shannon; brother-in-law Clayton (Shaye) Ruter, Lanark; sister-in-law, Taylor (Drew) Carroll, niece and nephew, Darby and Coe Carroll, of Lanark; and grandmother-in-law, Sheryl Ruter, of Shannon. Tamara is preceded in death by her grandparents, Warren W (Vivian) Graham and Walter (Lydia) Schultz.