Robert Ruth

ROBERT J. RUTH

Hills

A celebration of life for Robert J. Ruth, 94, of Hills, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hills with Father Mike Spiekermeier officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona, where a rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. The body has been cremated and burial will take place at a later date. A memorial fund has been established for St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Hills First Responders. Robert Ruth died Monday, Dec. 26, at Atrium Village in Hills.

Robert John Ruth was born Nov. 25, 1922, in Riverside, Iowa, the son of Herman and Bertha (Bulger) Ruth. He graduated from St. Mary's Catholic High School in Riverside. He was always proud that he graduated along with his nine brothers and sisters. The Ruth family graduated the largest number of children from one family. He served in the U.S. Army. On July 25, 1946, he was united in marriage to Dorris Mae Gregor at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.

Robert worked in the production and shipping department at Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids for many years. During that time, the couple lived in Shueyville, where Robert was a founding father, serving on the city council and as mayor. He was instrumental in getting the town of Shueyville incorporated. Robert was also a member of the Swisher American Legion and was a Little League baseball coach. He enjoyed following the Iowa Hawkeyes, especially football and basketball. The couple enjoyed their retirement years in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Ten years as snowbirds and 14 years as permanent residents.

Survivors include his wife, Dorris of Hills; one son, Gregory (Cathi) Ruth of Montrose; two daughters, Sandra (Robert) Schroeder of Danville and Barbara (Edward) Modzelesky of Leesburg, Va.; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Leo (Shirley) Ruth of Solon and Eugene (Doris) Ruth of Riverside; three sisters, Rita Jenn and Mary Marek of Hills and Janelle Marek of Kalona; and one sister-in-law, Emilee Young of Oxford.

Preceding Robert in death were his parents; three brothers, Paul, Donald and Richard Ruth; two sisters, Kathleen Ruth and Eleanor Droll; five brothers-in-law, Joseph Jenn, Robert Marek, Dale Marek, Marvin Gregor and Walter Droll; and four sisters-in-law, Marie Ruth, Beverly Ruth, Phyllis Ruth and Mary Gregor.