Ruth Carpenter

VisitationAfter 3 PM, Sunday, Feb 19, 2006Prayer Service, 6:00 PM, SundayOhde Funeral Home, Coon Rapids

Funeral ServiceMonday, February 20, 2006, 10:30 AMFirst Christian Church, Coon Rapids

IntermentUnion Township Cemetery, Coon Rapids

   Ruth Esther, daughter of William Edward and Allie Cecelia (Johnson) Morlan, was born February 2, 1917, the last of thirteen children, on a farm northeast of Scranton, Iowa. When she was six years old, she moved with her mother and siblings into Scranton after the untimely death of her father. Ruth attended school in Scranton where she played on the basketball team. She was also involved in many music activities, playing the violin, trumpet and organ. During the summers she often helped on the farms of her brothers and sisters.    On May 1, 1934, Ruth was united in marriage with George Francis Carpenter at her mothers home in Scranton. Six children were born to this union. They lived and farmed near Viola Center west of Coon Rapids. They also farmed near Scranton and Lake City. During summers, both Ruth and George did seasonal work at Garst and Thomas Seed Corn Company. Ruth continued her love of music after her marriage by playing in a community band. She tended a large vegetable garden and also enjoyed flower gardening and sewing for her family. After her family was grown, she worked at Stewart Memorial Hospital in Lake City as a nurses aide. After George retired from farming and they moved to Scranton, she worked at the Greene County Hospital in Jefferson. They enjoyed several winters in Texas and Arizona.    In her spare time, she worked with her husband on all types of crafts and attended craft fairs. One of her favorite pastimes was painting. Ruth was an active member of the First Christian Church and a long time member of Order of Eastern Star. She belonged to many womens clubs over the years. She unselfishly donated her time to community and school activities.    After the death of her husband in 1987, Ruth moved to Coon Rapids to be nearer her children. She became a resident of Thomas Rest Haven in 1998 and died there on Thursday, February 16, 2006, at the age of 89 years and 14 days.      Preceding her in death are her parents; husband; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two siblings in infancy, Lillie and Frank Morlan; seven brothers: Clyde, Orrie, Leon, Delmer, Fred, Jess and Elvon Morlan; three sisters: Ila Clark, Grace Morlan and Violet Strawn; and son-in-law Don Richards.    Ruth is survived by her six children: Marie and husband Denis Leiting of Carroll; Gary Carpenter and wife Marilyn of Coon Rapids; Bill Carpenter and wife Rose Marie of Chariton; Virginia and husband Ray Berger of Carroll; Carol Richards of Coon Rapids and Sandra and husband Robert Burns of Camas, WA; 30 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Merle Carpenter and wife Zelpha of Ames; sister-in-law Ruby Jacobson of Seattle, WA; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.