Klinge, Ruth Ida Louise

Ruth Ida Louise Klinge, 91, McGregor, died Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, at the Great River Care Center, McGregor. Ruth was born Aug. 3, 1921, in rural Guttenberg, Iowa, to George and Ida (Troester) Thiese. She graduated from Guttenberg High School where she prepared to become a teacher taking normal school training. Ruth taught in a country school for one year near Osterdock.

Ruth loved to dance and met her future husband, Stanton Klinge at Lakeside Ballroom in Guttenberg. She was united in marriage to Stanton on Aug. 23, 1941. Four sons were born to this union. She worked alongside Stanton in raising their four sons on the farm. Ruth and Stanton belonged to the anniversary club, involving eight couples all married in 1941 and who met regularly to socialize and play cards. Throughout her life, Ruth enjoyed artistic endeavors that included quilting, needlework and refinishing antique furniture. She also enjoyed collecting antique ironstone china, which became the main focus of her antique collection over the years. She was a member of the Get Together Club and taught Sunday school at St. John Lutheran Church in Farmersburg. She was known for her gardening, cooking, baking and canning, as well as the beautiful flower beds she created. She loved spending time with her family and she will be greatly missed by the many people who knew her.

Ruth is survived by her sons and their spouses, John and Kathy Klinge of Farmersburg, Joel and Sara Klinge of Platteville, Wis., Jeff Klinge and Deborah Tidwell of Farmersburgand Jason Klinge of Farmersburg; her nine grandchildren, Amy Klinge of Waukon, Michael Klinge of Monona, Molly Klinge (Nicholas Kingeter) of Onalaska, Wis., Scott Klinge of Platteville, Wis., Laura Klinge of Chicago, Noah Klinge of Phoenix, Ariz., Elizabeth (Derek) Peterson of Altoona, Christina Klinge of Ankeny and Jordan Klinge of Farmersburg; and one great-grandson, Henry James Kingeter.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Stanton on July 4, 2012; and one sister, Ruby Frye.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Leonard - Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona, and one hour before services Wednesday at the church. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Norway Lutheran Church, St. Olaf, Iowa. The Rev. Marshall Hahn will officiate. Burial will follow in Giard Cemetery, rural Giard, Iowa.

Condolences may be left with: .

Leonard - Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 18, 2012.