Ruth Gibson

Ruth Gibson of Winterset, received her eternal graduation on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at the Madison County Memorial Hospital in Winterset. She lived 102 ½ years on this earth. A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, May 29, at Ochiltree Funeral Service in Winterset, with family present to receive friends during this time. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 30, at Ochiltree's with burial to immediately follow in the Winterset Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and/or HCI Hospice Care Services. Online condolences can be made to the family at ochiltree.com. Edna Ruth Blessing, daughter of Frederick and Wilma (Ellis) Blessing, was born on December 24, 1914, on the Blessing family farm near Coin, Iowa. At the age of 2, her biological father died and Wilma later married Art Paxton who assumed the responsibility of caring for his new family which included Ruth. Ruth married Everett Gibson on September 19, 1936 in Clarinda, Iowa. This courtship began as the result of a box supper auction at the local country school. They were married 61 years until his death on March 7, 1997. They were members of the New Hope Christian Union Church for many years. Ruth was an amazing homemaker and farmwife. She stood strong during difficult times. If things got tough, she was tougher and never quit a job until the last detail was completed. She was a great cook and greatly enjoyed family and friends to sit at her kitchen table with coffee or spiced tea and a wide variety of homemade cookies. When it came to love, she always gave it graciously. She proudly filled the roll of mom and grandma to numerous kids around the community. Ruth is survived by four sons, Fred (Sharon) Gibson of Winterset, Dick (Opal) Gibson of Manson, Bill (Marcia) Gibson of Lorimor, and Bob (Pat) Gibson of Winterset; 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, 13 great great-grandchildren, extended family and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Willard and John; a grandson, John Gibson.