"Thinking of your family as Mother DAY is tomorrow ; Ruth was a mother to a lot of the kids . Prayers for all of the love ones. Kenny & Mary Ann Studer"
Ruth Ann Elsbecker was born on April 20, 1935, the second child of James "Jake" and Alice (Phillips) Becker. She grew up on the family farm near Livermore and attended St. Joseph Catholic School until her family moved to their farm west of Bancroft. Ruth Ann graduated from St. John's Catholic High School in Bancroft in 1953.
Ruth Ann was united in marriage to Eugene Elsbecker on August 17, 1955, at St. John's Catholic Church in Bancroft. Nine children were born to this union. When Ruth Ann's seventh child, Nancy, was 5 years old, she started a daycare in their home. She went on to care for many of the young children in Bancroft at one time or another, continuing to have a daycare until 2006.
Ruth Ann was always busy taking care of her household, making homemade apple pie, painting ceramics and cleaning. Her grandchildren's favorite part about Christmas was her homemade chicken and kniddelen "cloud" soup. Ruth Ann also took many day trips with her sister Annette, her sister-in-law Jackie, and her friends. Whether they went shopping, played slot machines, or ate Chinese, it was always a successful day. Ruth Ann and Gene also enjoyed the times they would have at card club or going square dancing with their friends. She was a member of St. John's Catholic Church being active in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and the St. John's Altar Society.
Ruth Ann died Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at Kossuth Regional Health Center, Algona, under the care of Hospice of the Heartland. She was 83.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 63 years, Eugene Elsbecker of Bancroft; nine children, Gary (Marcia) Elsbecker of Jackson, MN, Deborah (Frank) Flaherty of Burnsville, MN, Diane Elsbecker of Waterloo, Gregg (Eileen) Elsbecker of Bancroft, Jay (Agnes) Elsbecker of Gilbert, AZ, Dean (Shawn) Elsbecker of Sioux City, Nancy (Patrick) Degen of Emmetsburg, Nikki (Steve) Wagner of Urbandale, and Jodi (Chris) Alt of Algona; 24 grandchildren, Peter Dennis, Caleb Doyle, Chris McIntosh (special friend Ellen Malven), Caitlin (Matt) Dreckman, Abby, Allison and Samantha McIntosh, Benjamin (Eden) Flockhart, Elizabeth (Patrick) Smith, Joseph Flockhart, Nicole Elsbecker, Joshua (Sarah) Elsbecker, Kevin Elsbecker, Jacob (Trista) Elsbecker, Mychal (Carrie) Elsbecker, Anthony Elsbecker, Michelle Reisner, Cassandra (Bear) Moeller, M. Alexander Weaver, Rebecca, Mark, and Aaron Wagner, and Dylan and Logan Alt; and 17 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews; and many additional relatives and friends.
She was proceeded in death by her parents; her sister Annette Kockler; her brother Marvin Becker; a son-in-law, Donald McIntosh; and a granddaughter, Shannon Elsbecker.
"Thinking of your family as Mother DAY is tomorrow ; Ruth was a mother to a lot of the kids . Prayers for all of the love ones. Kenny & Mary Ann Studer"
"Dear Elsbecker Family, I was so very sorry to learn of your mom?s passing. May the wonderful memories your have of her bring you great comfort in your sadness. My sincere and deepest sympathy to you all. I have many found memories of play dates, sleepovers and just general fun times at your home!! None of us ever went hungry coming to your home, as your mom was always so gracious and quick to feed us. And the freezer downstairs was always stocked!!!! Hopefully this will bring a small smile to your face. God bless, Sara (Ulses) Brinker Classmate of Jodi?s"
"Gene and family, from Haltern am See, Germany, feel our sincere sympathy on the passing away of Ruth. We feel so sorry for this and keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Josef and Annemarie Bredeck, Karin and Martin Thies and boys, and Anne Heimann,"
"Gene and family, My sincere condolences on the passing of the of Ruth. You are all in my thoughts and prayers."
"Gene and family, So very sorry to hear of your loss. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. She was such a contributor to the Bancroft Community. All the young kids that she watched and taught will have so many lasting memories of Ruth. Her footprints on earth will continue long after today. Jon, Sarah Degen and family"
"Mr. Elsbecker, you have my most heart felt condolences in the passing of your wife. Having known you and your family for over 50 years I have very fond happy memories. God Bless You All. Sincerely, Frankie Strayer"
"Great pictures. So very sorry for your loss. May she rest in peace."
"Nancy and family - so very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to all of you."
"Gene and family We are so sorry for the loss of your wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Always remember Ruth and all the kids she babysat , always a patient person with all those little ones. She will be missed by so many especially her family, so keep the memories alive, with tears and laughter. Bless all of you and know you all our in our thoughts and prayers. "
"Sympathy & prayers for the families."
"Ruth Ann was a classmate and she and her sister Annette were the best friends a person could ever have. I am so sad that they are both gone. Prayers to both families."