Visitation

Monday, January 26, 2009

  After 10:00 AM

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t-variant: small-caps">First United Methodist Church

Coon Rapids, Iowa

Memorial Service

Monday, January 26, 2009

 11:00 AM

First United Methodist Church

Coon Rapids, Iowa

Celebrant

Reverend Lynn Gunderson

Music

How Great Thou Art?

Rock of Ages?

Cindy Seastrom, Vocalist

Lula Garnes, Organist

Autumn Leaves?

Recording 

     Ruth Elizabeth, daughter of Loren and Myrtle (Cretsinger) Watkins was born August 21, 1913, in Cody, Wyoming. When Ruth was five, her father died in the flu epidemic and her mother moved the family to Coon Rapids, Iowa. Ruth graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1931 and attended business school in Des Moines for a year.

    After her schooling she worked for the post office in Coon Rapids for two years and for Garst Store until 1942. On April 4, 1942 she was united in marriage with Marvin Bud? Woods in Omaha, Nebraska. The couple made their home in Coon Rapids and two daughters were born into this union. In 1951, Bud died and Ruth began working as a secretary for the high school principal in Coon Rapids. After several years she again began working for the post office in Coon Rapids where she served as assistant postmaster before retiring after 23 years of service.

     Ruth enjoyed volunteering in the community, studying genealogy, knitting, reading, painting, gardening, macram, needlepoint, and traveling. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids, Womens Society Circle, Eastern Star, PEO, and the Federated Club. In her retirement she spent her summers in Coon Rapids and her winters in Mesa, Arizona with her friend, Louise Johnston. 

     In October 2008, Ruth became a resident of Thomas Rest Haven Nursing Home in Coon Rapids. She died there on January 22, 2009, at the age of 95 years, 5 months, and 1 day.

     Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Jane Ann in infancy; sister Helen Burr; and friend Adelaide Carpenter.

     She is survived by her daughter Carol Woods of Coon Rapids; friends: Charles, Susan, and Doug Carpenter all of Coon Rapids and Mildred Middleton of Marion; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.