"Dear Blackman family, I never met Ruth but years ago I was given her name of a quilter. I contacted her and asked if she could quilt a quilt top I had sewed. She said "Yes" and I sent it to her. It was for our son's wedding gift and we took it to Germany where he was marrying his German sweetheart. That was just the first of four qilts she quilted for our family as I made qult tops and she qulted them for me. Oh, what a beautiful job she did in the quilting and each time I was so happy when she sent them back to me and wondered how she did it so perfectly!!! Thank you Ruth for your beautiful, gifted hands that did this for our family and now these quilts are in many states around the USA. I was so sorry to hear of Ruth's passing and we haven't had a wedding since 2006 so it has been awhile since I have contacted Ruth. We are now serving a mission for our church and are in Sapporo, Japan for 18 months. I will always remember Ruth Blackman and her sweet spirit and great quilting abilities. I always wanted to meet her in person and wish that could have happened. We live in Cedar Falls, Iowa. My best to her lovely family. Paula Hansen"
In loving memory of
Ruth Blackman
October 25, 2008
Etta Ruth Blackman, one of four children of Ora Ann (Lundy) Davis and Leo Davis, was born at Thurman, Iowa on November 27, 1934. She attended McPaul country school near her home and Tabor High School. On March 23, 1951, Ruth and Everett Eugene "Corky" Blackman were united in marriage in Malvern, Iowa. They lived on farms in the Malvern and Tabor area, and in 1963, moved to their present home near Malvern. They were blessed with three children, Kenneth Eugene, Barbara JoAnn, and Carol Jean.
Ruth enjoyed being a farm wife, mother, and homemaker. She supported her children in their school activities and was there to help whenever needed, whether it be sports, music, or any other school event. She was a member of the Tabor Christian Church and the Pythian Sisters Lodge. Later when the family moved to Malvern, she became a member of the Hillsdale United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. For years during the Mills County Fair, Ruth would bake many pies and help work at the Hillsdale food stand. She really loved to quilt and would meet on Wednesdays with the other ladies of the "Quilt Bats". Her greatest love and joy were spending time with her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Corky and Ruth had been married 57 years when she passed away at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa on October 25, 2008. She had attained the age of 73 years, 10 months, and 28 days. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Ruth is survived by her husband Everett Blackman; son Kenneth Blackman and wife Kathy of Red Oak, Iowa; daughters, Barb Corey and husband Ron of Corning, Iowa, and Carol Stane and husband Victor of Silver City, Iowa; sister Helen Davis of Council Bluffs, Iowa; brothers Willard "Bill" Davis and wife Mary and Larry Davis and wife Mary, all of Glenwood, Iowa; 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
A memorial fund has been established.
Tributes
"Thank you very much, Ruth. You have been the best Sister. Always will be very, very special."
"My deepest condolences to you--(Corky) and all of your family. Corky, I remember YOU & I on the football field for three seasons as being my greatest of memories. What a time we had...I remember RUTH was always a very gracious lady as I knew her when she was a sophmore in high school. You could tell immediately that she had class and was different. She was a beautiful girl, secure in herself. Of course, we all knew you had a crush on her. In spite of this loss and sadness, there is a bright side...she is now with her Lord, Jesus Christ, and is now more alive than she has ever been. You were so blessed to have had her for 57 years. Thank God, that you will see her in the morning... Your lifetime friend in Georgia: Jim Nickerson"
"As a young boy growing up in Tabor I had the pleasure of being friends with the Blackman family. I have many great memories of the times I spent at their home learning how to play cribbage. And fishing in nearby James's pond with Kenny. Ruth was a caring and loving individual. She will be deeply missed by all she knew. God be with the family in this time sorrow."
"Ken, Sorry for loss. Dale Sandquist"
"Barb, Sorry about your mom....Matt Knight "