Koelker, Ruth E.

Ruth E. Koelker, 97, of Dyersville, died Monday, April 1, 2013, at Stonehill Care Center in Dubuque. Friends and relatives of Ruth may call from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 5, at Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville, where a wake service will be held at 5 p.m. Services for Ruth will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville, with the Rev. Noah Diehm presiding. Burial will be held at St. Francis Cemetery in Dyersville.

Ruth was born June 1, 1915, in Dyersville, Iowa, daughter of Simon and Josephine (Loeser) Schermer. She graduated June 2, 1932, from St. Francis Academy in Dyersville and also graduated from the University of Dubuque, where she received her teaching certification. She taught in the country schools. She graduated from Upper Iowa, Fayette, and attended the University of Iowa. She then taught special education classes at Western Dubuque schools. She later transferred to teach art in kindergarten through the eighth grade. She also taught night classes through Northeast Iowa Community College in ceramics and crafts. She and her husband owned and operated LaRu's Kountry Krafts.

On Feb. 8, 1947, she was united in marriage to Lawrence Koelker at St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville. Together they farmed on her parents century farm.

Ruth was a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Dyersville. She volunteered as a Girl Scout leader for several years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lawrence Koelker on Oct. 1, 1983; and a daughter and son-in-law, Doris Anderson on Aug. 6, 1969, and Wesley Anderson on Aug. 4, 1969.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com.

Published April 4, 2013 in The Gazette