Rose Ruth

ROSE "RO" RUTH

Iowa City

Rose "Ro" Marie Ruth, 83, of Iowa City, passed away Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Cosgrove with Father Edmond Dunn officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City, where a parish vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Visitation will also be held after 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mercy Hospital Foundation for Mercy Hospice or to the St. Peter's Hall Building Fund.

Ro was born in Iowa City the daughter of Carl and Mary Viola Schwaigert. She was a 1949 graduate of St. Patrick High School and attended the University of Iowa. Ro was united in marriage to John "Jack" Ruth on Sept. 5, 1953, at St. Patrick Church in Iowa City. Ro worked in the medical instruments department at the University of Iowa College of Medicine, retiring in 1994.

Ro was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society and the National Catholic Society of Foresters, who recognized Ro as the Fraternalist of the Year. In 2006, Senator Harkin and Congressman Leach honored Ro in Washington, D.C., as the recipient of the Fraternal MVP at the National Fraternal Congress of America Conference. Ro served on the board of the Cosgrove Institute and in 2012, Ro received the Ruth Becker Award from ARC of Southeast Iowa.

The kitchen was the center of her home where everyone was welcome. Ro loved family trips, playing bridge and time spent with her family and friends.

Ro is survived by her loving husband, Jack; and their five children, Maureen Ruth (Ted Hesemann) of Stevens Point, Wis., John (Jennifer) Ruth of Oak Park, Ill., Tim (Mary) Ruth of Hills, Marcia (Gene) Charbon of Tiffin and Melanie Alberts (Kate Soska) of Iowa City; her brother, Rich Schwaigert of North Liberty; seven grandchildren, Michael (Sarah) Charbon, Laurie Ruth, Andrew (Cori) Charbon, Lindsey (Clint) Sova, Amy (Brad) Bultman, Dan (Melissa) Ruth and Jill (David) Zieser; and five great-grandchildren.

Following the death of her sister Shirley, Ro enjoyed a special closeness with her children, Tom (Georgia) Vincent of Perry, Steven (Sue) Vincent of Cedar Rapids and Karen (Craig) Kaalberg of Davenport.

Ro was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Shirley Vincent and Carol Schwaigert; and her nephew, Steven Vincent.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.