Henry Ruff

DR. HENRY RUFF

Amana

Dr. Henry Jacob Ruff, 92, of Middle Amana, died Saturday, May 10, 2014, at Colonial Manor of Amana. Celebration of Life services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Middle Amana Community Church, Middle Amana, with Elder Kristie Yoder officiating. Burial will be in the South Amana Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the church.

Memorials may be given to the Amana Church Society, Camp Courageous, Salvation Army or worthwhile cause.

Arrangements are with Kloster Funeral Home in Marengo.

Henry is survived by his son, Eric (Sherry) Ruff, Redding Calif.; five stepchildren, Deborah Vande Voort (John) of Shawnee, Kan., Dianne Schlesselman (Robert) of Williamsburg, Douglas Bryson (Angelika) of Middle Amana, Jamie Bryson (Susie) of Middle Amana and Ida Bryson of Iowa City; grandson, Austin Ruff, Redding Calif.: eight stepgrandchildren, James Schlesselman (Stefani),

Erica Rasti (Jeremy), Erin Nichols (Austin), Carissa Bryson, Reese Bryson, Renata Bryson, Gina Bryson and Levi Bryson and son, David Alan; and two other stepgreat-grandchildren, Isabella Schlesselman and Samantha Schlesselman.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives; daughter, Heidi in 1983; and stepmother, Henrietta Johanna Moershel Ruff in 2009.

Henry was a member of the Amana Heritage Society and translated many historical letters and documents from the Old German Script to English. He was also a member of the Amana Arts Guild, the Marengo American Legion Post No. 76 and he served as an elder of the Amana Church Society.

His love of friends and music were very important. He and wife Inge were instrumental in originating the Amana Oktoberfest. Being with friends, singing German songs, telling stories of his interesting life and enjoying an occasional happy hour gave him great satisfaction.

Henry was born March 1, 1922, in South Amana,

Iowa, the son of Ferdinand J. and Henrietta M. Siegel Ruff. He attended the Amana schools, graduating in 1940. Henry attended the University of Iowa, where he received a Bachelor of Science in 1943 and Doctor of Dentistry in 1945. He

enlisted in the U.S. Navy

serving 20 years as a dentist and retired at the rank of commander. He received several medals and honors. Henry traveled extensively while serving in the Navy. After retiring from the service, Henry returned to South Amana and opened a dental practice, which he continued for 18 years.

He married Eva Marie Swann in 1945. She died in 1948. In 1954, he married Ingeborg Jakob-Koehler and to Henry and Inge were born daughter, Heidi Karen and son, Eric Karl. Inge died in 1982. Henry married Emaline Louise Dietrich Bryson in November 1983 and she died in January 2012.

The family extends appreciation to the staffs of Colonial Manor of Amana and Essence of Life Hospice for the loving care they provided.