Ruth J. Schmitz

Ruth Joyce Schmitz, daughter of Oliver Clark and Opal Gibson, was born October 17, 1940 in Scranton, Iowa, and died July 21, 2010 at the Perry Healthcare in Perry, Iowa at the age of 69. Ruth was raised by her grandparents William and Grace Gibson on their farm east of Scranton. She graduated from Scranton High School. On July 26, 1965, she married Joseph Schmitz in Raton, New Mexico. They were parents of two children, Thomas and Debra Ann. Joe and Ruth lived four years in Pueblo, Colorado and then moved to Perry. Ruth was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and Regina Guild. She enjoyed reading, watching television, working crossword puzzles, watching professional wrestling, playing Bingo, eating out, but most of all she loved people. Ruth retired after 25 years as a Resident Treatment Worker at the Woodward State Hospital. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, her mother, and husband Joe. Ruth is survived by her son Thomas and daughter Debra, both of Perry; and grandchildren Erich Schmitz, Devin Parker and Derek Parker. She is also survived by her aunts, Marge Stewart of Perry and Esther Blevins of Perry; sisters-in-law Rita Becker of Carroll and Irma Morgan of Boone; brothers-in-law Bob Schmitz (Clara) of York, Nebraska and Don Schmitz (Pauline) of Dedham; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.