Ruth E. Anderson

Ruth Anderson, age 89, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Sunday, January 4, 2015 at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Funeral services will be Friday, January 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be at a later date in the Early Union Cemetery in Early, Iowa. Visitation will take place Thursday, January 8, 2015 from 4-7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Ruth Elaine Lathrop was born October 11, 1925 on a farm near Plover, IA and moved with her parents to the Havelock area at the age of 6. She attended school at Havelock, IA and received an emergency teaching certificate from Buena Vista College in 1945. She taught business classes, physical education, and coached girls basketball in Ware, IA. She met Richard Anderson from Storm Lake while attending college. They were married May 31, 1946 in Havelock, IA and built a small home on the Anderson family farm. In 1948, they rented a farm near Nemaha, IA, and in 1959 Rich and Ruth realized their dream of buying their own farm south of Early where they raised their 6 daughters. In 1992 they moved to Storm Lake. Ruth and Rich enjoyed traveling to visit relatives and friends and the sights along the way, playing cards, social activities, gardening, family and grandchildren. Ruth also provided leadership and participation in church and community organizations. They include the Nemaha Methodist Church, the Early United Methodist Church, and Storm Lake United Methodist Church where she was very active in the United Methodist Women, holding several local and district offices. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, multiple book and card clubs, 4-H leader and Rebecca’s. She was very active with farm life while raising her family. She was proud that all of her daughters graduated from college. In her spare time Ruth was a bookkeeper and helped prepare taxes at H&R Block and for friends. Ruth is survived by her daughters Judy (Larry) Westergren, Marion, IA; Jan (Joe) Nicholson, Dunwoody, GA; Lois (Mike) Thomas, Omaha, NE; Karen (Tom) Dunekacke, Elk Creek, NE; Colleen (Steve) Knapp, Sioux City, IA; and Lynn (Ray) Schable, Storm Lake, IA. Grandchildren include Brenda Westergren Deimerly, David Westergren, Sarah Westergren, Andrew Nicholson, Brent Nicholson, Jason Thomas, Megan Thomas, Steve Thomas, Travis Dunekacke, Taylor Dunekacke, Tracy Dunekacke, Curtis Knapp, Jackie Knapp, Anna Knapp, Emily Knapp, Tanya Schable, Jake Schable, and 11 great grandchildren. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a stillborn son and her sister Lucille.

Ruth E. Anderson

October 11, 1925 - January 4, 2015