wa Area Community College, and Iowa State and Mankato State Universities. She was a member of the Forest City Education Association and later on an active member in the Retired Teachers Association. She was a long-time middle school mathematics teacher, retiring in 1983. In recognition of her teaching accomplishments, she was inducted into the Forest City Education Hall of Fame in 1996. Ruth was a devout Christian. She was baptized in the Swaledale Methodist Church and following her marriage was confirmed in the Eldora Lutheran Church. She was an active member of Beaver Creek Lutheran Church near Joice until its closing. She served in various officer positions in the Lutheran Church Women and Circle organizations and taught Sunday school for many years. Ruth also served as an officer of the North Iowa District Lutheran Church Women's organization. She currently was a member of Fertile Lutheran Church. Ruth assisted John for many years in their farming operation, and in 1961 they were named an Iowa Master Egg Producer. Ruth had a special interest in restoring antique furniture, gardening, and remodeling their beautiful old farmhouse near Fertile. Ruth served as a 4-H leader for many years. Ruth and John enjoyed traveling and made several trips to Europe to visit the areas of their ancestors. Historical documents reflected the Ward family immigrated from Cornwall, England, in the mid-1800's. They were also actively involved in the Republican Party, Farm Bureau and the Worth County Historical Society. On July 6, 1942, she was married to John Rovang of Joice in a lawn wedding at her family farm. They celebrated 64 years of marriage in 2006 before his death in 2007. Ruth then remained on the farm she loved until entering Hospice following a cerebral hemorrhage. She loved her family and took great pride and effort in preparing for the multiple family gatherings held at the farm. She is survived by her two sons, Douglas (Rosaline) Rovang of Rochester, MN, and Richard (Kathie Doty) Rovang of Eagan, MN; a daughter, Donna (Brent) Orton of Mason City; six grandchildren, Michelle (Bryan) Burke, Ann (Matt) Wolff, Mark (Karen), Matthew, Chrismar and Kiersten Orton; five great-grandchildren, Nicholas and John Burke, Abigail and Elizabeth Wolff, and Ryann Orton; sisters-in-law, Esther Ward of Swaledale and Virginia Ward of Mason City; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; parents; son, Mark John; brothers, Virgil, J.C., Willard, Donald and Delbert; and a sister, Thelma Watson.