James, Ruth Lovelle

Ruth Lovelle James, 90, died Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at Willow Gardens Nursing Home in Marion following an extended illness. Services: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Jackson Township Cemetery, Montezuma.

Survivors include three daughters, Maralene James of Cedar Rapids, Bonne (John) Christenson of Austin, Texas and Dee Ann (Phillip) Thompson of Springfield, Mo.; four grandchildren, Chris Ewoldt of Cedar Rapids, Eric (Amy) Christenson of Omaha, Neb., Heather Christenson of Denver, Colo., and Samantha Christenson, also of Denver, Colo.; two great-grandchildren, Benjamin James Christenson and Caroline Ruth Christenson, and a stepgreat-granddaughter, Kaley, all of Omaha, Neb.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Delmar James, who passed away in 2000; and seven brothers and sisters, Neoma Sanders, Leona Klaus, Eula Mae Van Tomme, Clyde Gilbreaith, Earl Gilbreaith, Virgil Gilbreaith and Vina Martin.

Ruth was born Nov. 7, 1921, in Barnes City, Iowa, the youngest child of David and Bessie Gilbreaith. She married Delmar James on Jan. 24, 1940, in Lancaster, Mo. She was a member of First Christian Church in Cedar Rapids. Ruth was active in helping her husband in their jewelry store in downtown Cedar Rapids for approximately 50 years.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who always made an impression on others with her sweet personality and her kindness. Ruth's life was built around her dedication and love for her family and we will miss her immensely in the days ahead, but we take comfort knowing that she is now home with the Lord, and reunited with her husband for eternity.

Memorial donations in Ruth's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Stroke Association.

Please leave a message or tribute to Ruth's family on the Web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Published March 22, 2012 in The Gazette