Ruth Helen Anderson, 88, of Marcus, Iowa passed away on February 28, 2015 at Heartland Care Center in Marcus, Iowa.

Ruth was born January 19, 1927, to Edward and Emma (Radke) Lehnhardt on their family farm south of Aurelia. She received her early Christian education at St. John's Lutheran Church in Hanover, Iowa. She graduated from Aurelia High School in the Class of 1944. After graduation in 1948 from the Lutheran School of Nursing in Sioux City, Ruth worked for Drs. Reeder and Reeder.

On January 28, 1949 Erwin Anderson and Ruth Lehnhardt were united in holy matrimony by Rev. Marvin Lehnhardt, Ruth's brother in Freeport, Texas. They began their 52 years of marriage on the Anderson family farm southwest of Cherokee, Iowa. In 1954 they purchased a farm south of Cleghorn where they lived until they retired to Marcus in 1974.

Ruth's Christian faith strengthened during her 52 year membership at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee. In recent years, she was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Marcus, Iowa.
Ruth was a gifted athlete and a fierce competitor. She enjoyed sports at all levels from local events to her fanatical devotion to the Chicago Cubs. She was a four-time Ladies Club Champion at the Marcus Golf Course. She became a member of the Hole-In-One Club in 1987.

In July 2011, Ruth moved to Heartland Care Center for what was thought to be a short term stay. The combination of the impeccable care she received and her zest for life extended that stay to almost four years. The family extends their heartfelt appreciation for the loving care she received.

Ruth is survived by her two sons and four daughters, Gary (Terri Ann) Anderson, Georgetown, TX; Dr. Thomas (Beverly) Anderson, Chagrin Falls, OH; Donna Anderson, Santa Barbara, CA; Linda (Matthew) Wheeler, Virginia Beach, VA; Terry Lynn (William) Hurd, Cleghorn, IA; Debra (Max) Velasquez, Littleton, CO. She had 10 grandchildren, Megan Van Buren, Derek, Tyler, and Brittany Anderson, Lauren and 2LT Matthew Wheeler, Mark (Kerry) Hurd, Kristin (Dr. Cliff) Miles, Michelle and Belinda Velasquez. She was loved by eight great-grandchildren, Dakota Ruth Van Buren, Ashley, Ryan, and Jacob Hurd, Tyler and Mason Boothby, and Emilio and Alejandro Velasquez.
She is survived by one sister, Phyllis (Richard) Munster, Bella Vista, AR, and one sister-in-law, Esther Lehnhardt, Houston, TX.
Ruth will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and the love and laughter she shared with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Erwin in 2001, her parents, and three brothers, Arlin, Rev. Marvin and Clayton Lehnhardt.
Heaven is rejoicing, Ruth is home.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 2nd at 10:30 a.m. at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee. Pastor Kevin Roop, Pastor Larry Lemke and Pastor Don Erickson will officiate. Burial was held earlier at the Marcus-Amherst Cemetery. The Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com