Shields, Ruth M.

A memorial service for Ruth M. Shields, 79, of Washington, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at the United Methodist Church in Washington with Pastor Jim Stiles officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. The body has been cremated. A memorial fund has been established for Iowa City Hospice and the United Methodist Church Choir. Ruth M. Shields died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at Mercy Hospice Care in Iowa City.

Ruth Marie (Kelsey) Shields was born Feb. 21, 1932, in New Hampton, Iowa, the daughter of Boyd E. And Ruth L. (Shaffer) Kelsey. She attended New Hampton Schools and obtained her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Northern Iowa. Ruth taught music in Conrad, Iowa, for many years and in the Washington Community School District until retiring in 1993. On Dec. 26, 1958, she was united in marriage to Myron Shields in New Hampton, Iowa. Ruth was a member of the United Methodist Church in Washington and the United Methodist Women, where she served on many committees and as an officer. Ruth served as the music and choir director at the United Methodist Church in Washington for 20 years. She enjoyed sewing and made clothes for the boys when they were young.

Survivors include her husband, Myron of Washington; five sons, Paul of Cedar Rapids, Mark of Media, Ill., James and wife Kellie of Washington, John and wife Kris of Arden Hills, Minn., and Joel of Milwaukee, Wis.; and six grandchildren, Hailee and Shelbee of Burlington, and Jason, Emily, David and Thomas of Arden Hills, Minn.

Preceding Ruth in death were her parents and one brother, Darrel B. Kelsey.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 14, 2011.