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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Ruth Willms

Ruth

Ruth Willms Profile Photo

Willms

February 23, 1920 – January 6, 2015

Ruth Willms's Obituary

Birthplace: Sarpy County, NE Resided In: Red Oak, IA Ruth Willms, age 94, of Red Oak, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at her residence. Ruth was born February 23, 1920 in Sarpy County, Nebraska, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Giles) O'Keefe. She graduated from Omaha South High School in 1938 and earned her teaching degree from College of St. Mary in 1940. She taught in country schools in Nebraska before she was united in marriage to Orville Willms on June 9, 1943 in Omaha, Nebraska. They farmed in Douglas County, Nebraska until buying a farm in Red Oak in 1965. Ruth and Orville moved into town in 1975 and Orville continued to farm with his son John. Ruth was a member of Extension Club both in Nebraska and Iowa; a 4-H leader in Nebraska; Altar Society member both in Elkhorn, Nebraska and at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Red Oak; Farm Bureau member; hosted bible studies in her home; and was a member of a dinner club. She was very artistic, always decorating, making crafts, painting, and doing ceramics. She was an avid reader who loved books and promoted education. And she was a tremendous cook. Preceding her in death were her parents; husband of 63 years: Orville on June 29, 2006; daughter: Mary Willms; granddaughters: Katherine and Elizabeth Willms; and siblings: Donald, Leo, Ambrose, Tom, and John O'Keefe; Angela McDermott; and Cecilia Vesley. Survivors include her children: John Willms and wife Yvonne of Red Oak; Grant Willms and wife Monica of Omaha; Susan Frost of Sterling, IL; and Sandy Stone and husband Don of Arvada, CO; grandchildren: John Labora and wife Amy of Oswego, IL; Kirk Scheffel and wife Donni of Broomfield, CO; Cory Scheffel of Salida, CO; Matt Reyna-Willms and wife Linda of Clarinda, IA; Eli Willms and wife Kellie of Omaha; Joe Willms of Omaha; and Maddy Willms of Chicago, IL; great grandchildren: Brandon, Nathan, and Joshua Labora; Isabelle Willms; Ian and Lillian Reyna-Willms; Jonathan Bush; Viviene Willms; and Quinn Scheffel; sisters-in-law: Betty McArdle of Elkhorn, NE and Jeanette Whitney of Guthrie Center, IA; and many other relatives and friends. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 AM Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Rosary will be recited 6:30 PM Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel with visitation with the family to follow until 8 PM. Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation:
Date: 1/13/2015 Time: 6:30-8 PM Comments: Rosary at 6:30 PM with visitation to follow until 8 PM. Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel 410 N 6th Street Red Oak, IA Get a Map Driving Directions
Service:
Date: 1/14/2015 Time: 10:30 AM Comments: St. Mary's Catholic Church 1510 Highland Red Oak, IA Get a Map Driving Directions
Burial:
Date: 1/14/2015 Time: Following services Comments: Evergreen Cemetery North 8th St. Red Oak, IA Get a Map Driving Directions
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