Funeral Services for Ruth Clark, age 81 of Bedford who died Sunday, November 19, 2006 at the Clarinda Regional Health Center were held Friday, November 24, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Bedford. Interment was held in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be directed to the First Baptist Church, the Taylor County Museum or the Bedford Library Elevator Fund. Memories can be shared with the family on our web site at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.
Naomi Ruth Hanshaw Clark was born in Bedford, Iowa on June 7, 1925, the daughter of Catherine Rebecca Walker Hanshaw and Carr Clifton Hanshaw. She died in Clarinda, Iowa on November 19, 2006.
Her family lived on West Main Street from where she walked to school in Bedford, and graduated from high school there in 1943. Her school days were during the Depression of the '30s and the World War II years of the '40s. Her class had no yearbook because of the paper shortage, no class trip due to fuel and tire shortages, and Bedford's first black-out, part of an air raid drill, occurred during their commencement. In high school Ruth, who was a life-long pianist, was also active in glee club, band and orchestra. In 1944 she was the Taylor County War Bond Queen, for which the prize was a lavish weekend trip to Des Moines with other County Queens. During those war years a trip to Des Moines was an unusual treat.
On March 6, 1945 Ruth was married to Howard Reed Clark (Shorty) in Wathena, Kansas. Three children were born to the couple: Cathy Lou, November 27, 1948; Brent D., November 1, 1951; Patricia Lynn, June 14, 1954. Shorty died suddenly on December 22, 1983.
After high school Ruth worked at Lucille Livingston's Coffee Shop, the Ben Franklin Store, Rexall Drug where she stirred up great chocolate sodas, the OPA (Office of Price Administration designed to control wartime inflation), and in the office of Cudahy's. Later she was Shorty's secretary at Farmer's Mutual Insurance and the bookkeeper at Clark Lumber Company. After Shorty's untimely death she rose to the occasion and became the sole proprietor of the Lumber Company for nearly eleven years. There were only two years of Ruth's life that she did not live in Bedford. This is when she and Shorty owned and operated the Country Boys Lumber Yard in Grant City, before returning to Bedford and establishing Clark Lumber Company.
Ruth was an enthusiastic promoter and worker in the Bedford Community; a long-time member of the Rebekah Lodge, Lioness, and the Chamber of Commerce. After retirement she volunteered as a guide at the Taylor County Museum. She sold tickets at the gate of the Taylor County Fair for many years.
The Bedford Baptist Church was always her church home; she attended services there from the time she was a child. Ruth asked Jesus to be her Savior at the age of twelve, becoming a member of the church almost 70 years ago. When she was in high school she began playing the piano at church, which she continued throughout her life. When the organ became a part of the church's music she became a self-taught organist as well. She was very proud that six generations of her family, beginning with her grandparents, attended the Bedford Baptist Church regularly.
Ruth's faith carried her through many difficult times. A clinging cross, given to her by a dear friend, brought her much comfort during her final illness. It was always in her hand for every doctor's appointment and treatment as a reminder of God's love and care.
Ruth was a grandmother extraordinaire. She had a remarkable sense of how she could be of help and encouragement to her eight grandchildren, their spouses and her twelve great grandchildren. She sent cards, made phone calls, sent little packages, was readily available for visits, ran errands, helped baby-sit, and always claimed her grandmother's rights for holding and cuddling a new baby. Every child should have a grandmother as loving as Ruth.
In addition to her joy of being with her immediate family, she treasured visits from her two nieces who live away, Judy and Merle Engleka, and Kaye and Len Ware. She was grateful that Carole (a special cousin) and Vic Noer lived close-by, which made possible many happy times together.
Ruth is survived by two daughters and a son: Cathy and Don Cochran, Spring Hill, KS; Brent and Debbie Clark, Glenwood, IA; Patricia and David Dukes, Bedford, IA., and grandchildren: Brandi and Kevin Chambers, Tera and Matt Schlotfelt, Alison Clark and Dan Porter, James Clark, Megan Clark, Elaina and James Johnson, Troy and Erin Dukes, Katy and Dustin Longfellow. Great grandchildren are Katelynn, Taylor and Sarah Chambers; Banner Schlotfelt; Preston and Logen Clark; Zachary, Alexander and Bradley Johnson; Mason and Quinton Dukes; and Ruthie Grace Longfellow.
[Obituary courtesy of Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel, Bedford, Iowa.]
Naomi Ruth Hanshaw Clark was born in Bedford, Iowa on June 7, 1925, the daughter of Catherine Rebecca Walker Hanshaw and Carr Clifton Hanshaw. She died in Clarinda, Iowa on November 19, 2006.
Her family lived on West Main Street from where she walked to school in Bedford, and graduated from high school there in 1943. Her school days were during the Depression of the '30s and the World War II years of the '40s. Her class had no yearbook because of the paper shortage, no class trip due to fuel and tire shortages, and Bedford's first black-out, part of an air raid drill, occurred during their commencement. In high school Ruth, who was a life-long pianist, was also active in glee club, band and orchestra. In 1944 she was the Taylor County War Bond Queen, for which the prize was a lavish weekend trip to Des Moines with other County Queens. During those war years a trip to Des Moines was an unusual treat.
On March 6, 1945 Ruth was married to Howard Reed Clark (Shorty) in Wathena, Kansas. Three children were born to the couple: Cathy Lou, November 27, 1948; Brent D., November 1, 1951; Patricia Lynn, June 14, 1954. Shorty died suddenly on December 22, 1983.
After high school Ruth worked at Lucille Livingston's Coffee Shop, the Ben Franklin Store, Rexall Drug where she stirred up great chocolate sodas, the OPA (Office of Price Administration designed to control wartime inflation), and in the office of Cudahy's. Later she was Shorty's secretary at Farmer's Mutual Insurance and the bookkeeper at Clark Lumber Company. After Shorty's untimely death she rose to the occasion and became the sole proprietor of the Lumber Company for nearly eleven years. There were only two years of Ruth's life that she did not live in Bedford. This is when she and Shorty owned and operated the Country Boys Lumber Yard in Grant City, before returning to Bedford and establishing Clark Lumber Company.
Ruth was an enthusiastic promoter and worker in the Bedford Community; a long-time member of the Rebekah Lodge, Lioness, and the Chamber of Commerce. After retirement she volunteered as a guide at the Taylor County Museum. She sold tickets at the gate of the Taylor County Fair for many years.
The Bedford Baptist Church was always her church home; she attended services there from the time she was a child. Ruth asked Jesus to be her Savior at the age of twelve, becoming a member of the church almost 70 years ago. When she was in high school she began playing the piano at church, which she continued throughout her life. When the organ became a part of the church's music she became a self-taught organist as well. She was very proud that six generations of her family, beginning with her grandparents, attended the Bedford Baptist Church regularly.
Ruth's faith carried her through many difficult times. A clinging cross, given to her by a dear friend, brought her much comfort during her final illness. It was always in her hand for every doctor's appointment and treatment as a reminder of God's love and care.
Ruth was a grandmother extraordinaire. She had a remarkable sense of how she could be of help and encouragement to her eight grandchildren, their spouses and her twelve great grandchildren. She sent cards, made phone calls, sent little packages, was readily available for visits, ran errands, helped baby-sit, and always claimed her grandmother's rights for holding and cuddling a new baby. Every child should have a grandmother as loving as Ruth.
In addition to her joy of being with her immediate family, she treasured visits from her two nieces who live away, Judy and Merle Engleka, and Kaye and Len Ware. She was grateful that Carole (a special cousin) and Vic Noer lived close-by, which made possible many happy times together.
Ruth is survived by two daughters and a son: Cathy and Don Cochran, Spring Hill, KS; Brent and Debbie Clark, Glenwood, IA; Patricia and David Dukes, Bedford, IA., and grandchildren: Brandi and Kevin Chambers, Tera and Matt Schlotfelt, Alison Clark and Dan Porter, James Clark, Megan Clark, Elaina and James Johnson, Troy and Erin Dukes, Katy and Dustin Longfellow. Great grandchildren are Katelynn, Taylor and Sarah Chambers; Banner Schlotfelt; Preston and Logen Clark; Zachary, Alexander and Bradley Johnson; Mason and Quinton Dukes; and Ruthie Grace Longfellow.
[Obituary courtesy of Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel, Bedford, Iowa.]
Funeral Services for Ruth Clark, age 81 of Bedford who died Sunday, November 19, 2006 at the Clarinda Regional Health Center were held Friday, November 24, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Bedford. Interment was held in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be directed to the First Baptist Church, the Taylor County Museum or the Bedford Library Elevator Fund. Memories can be shared with the family on our web site at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.
Naomi Ruth Hanshaw Clark was born in Bedford, Iowa on June 7, 1925, the daughter of Catherine Rebecca Walker Hanshaw and Carr Clifton Hanshaw. She died in Clarinda, Iowa on November 19, 2006.
Her family lived on West Main Street from where she walked to school in Bedford, and graduated from high school there in 1943. Her school days were during the Depression of the '30s and the World War II years of the '40s. Her class had no yearbook because of the paper shortage, no class trip due to fuel and tire shortages, and Bedford's first black-out, part of an air raid drill, occurred during their commencement. In high school Ruth, who was a life-long pianist, was also active in glee club, band and orchestra. In 1944 she was the Taylor County War Bond Queen, for which the prize was a lavish weekend trip to Des Moines with other County Queens. During those war years a trip to Des Moines was an unusual treat.
On March 6, 1945 Ruth was married to Howard Reed Clark (Shorty) in Wathena, Kansas. Three children were born to the couple: Cathy Lou, November 27, 1948; Brent D., November 1, 1951; Patricia Lynn, June 14, 1954. Shorty died suddenly on December 22, 1983.
After high school Ruth worked at Lucille Livingston's Coffee Shop, the Ben Franklin Store, Rexall Drug where she stirred up great chocolate sodas, the OPA (Office of Price Administration designed to control wartime inflation), and in the office of Cudahy's. Later she was Shorty's secretary at Farmer's Mutual Insurance and the bookkeeper at Clark Lumber Company. After Shorty's untimely death she rose to the occasion and became the sole proprietor of the Lumber Company for nearly eleven years. There were only two years of Ruth's life that she did not live in Bedford. This is when she and Shorty owned and operated the Country Boys Lumber Yard in Grant City, before returning to Bedford and establishing Clark Lumber Company.
Ruth was an enthusiastic promoter and worker in the Bedford Community; a long-time member of the Rebekah Lodge, Lioness, and the Chamber of Commerce. After retirement she volunteered as a guide at the Taylor County Museum. She sold tickets at the gate of the Taylor County Fair for many years.
The Bedford Baptist Church was always her church home; she attended services there from the time she was a child. Ruth asked Jesus to be her Savior at the age of twelve, becoming a member of the church almost 70 years ago. When she was in high school she began playing the piano at church, which she continued throughout her life. When the organ became a part of the church's music she became a self-taught organist as well. She was very proud that six generations of her family, beginning with her grandparents, attended the Bedford Baptist Church regularly.
Ruth's faith carried her through many difficult times. A clinging cross, given to her by a dear friend, brought her much comfort during her final illness. It was always in her hand for every doctor's appointment and treatment as a reminder of God's love and care.
Ruth was a grandmother extraordinaire. She had a remarkable sense of how she could be of help and encouragement to her eight grandchildren, their spouses and her twelve great grandchildren. She sent cards, made phone calls, sent little packages, was readily available for visits, ran errands, helped baby-sit, and always claimed her grandmother's rights for holding and cuddling a new baby. Every child should have a grandmother as loving as Ruth.
In addition to her joy of being with her immediate family, she treasured visits from her two nieces who live away, Judy and Merle Engleka, and Kaye and Len Ware. She was grateful that Carole (a special cousin) and Vic Noer lived close-by, which made possible many happy times together.
Ruth is survived by two daughters and a son: Cathy and Don Cochran, Spring Hill, KS; Brent and Debbie Clark, Glenwood, IA; Patricia and David Dukes, Bedford, IA., and grandchildren: Brandi and Kevin Chambers, Tera and Matt Schlotfelt, Alison Clark and Dan Porter, James Clark, Megan Clark, Elaina and James Johnson, Troy and Erin Dukes, Katy and Dustin Longfellow. Great grandchildren are Katelynn, Taylor and Sarah Chambers; Banner Schlotfelt; Preston and Logen Clark; Zachary, Alexander and Bradley Johnson; Mason and Quinton Dukes; and Ruthie Grace Longfellow.
[Obituary courtesy of Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel, Bedford, Iowa.]
Naomi Ruth Hanshaw Clark was born in Bedford, Iowa on June 7, 1925, the daughter of Catherine Rebecca Walker Hanshaw and Carr Clifton Hanshaw. She died in Clarinda, Iowa on November 19, 2006.
Her family lived on West Main Street from where she walked to school in Bedford, and graduated from high school there in 1943. Her school days were during the Depression of the '30s and the World War II years of the '40s. Her class had no yearbook because of the paper shortage, no class trip due to fuel and tire shortages, and Bedford's first black-out, part of an air raid drill, occurred during their commencement. In high school Ruth, who was a life-long pianist, was also active in glee club, band and orchestra. In 1944 she was the Taylor County War Bond Queen, for which the prize was a lavish weekend trip to Des Moines with other County Queens. During those war years a trip to Des Moines was an unusual treat.
On March 6, 1945 Ruth was married to Howard Reed Clark (Shorty) in Wathena, Kansas. Three children were born to the couple: Cathy Lou, November 27, 1948; Brent D., November 1, 1951; Patricia Lynn, June 14, 1954. Shorty died suddenly on December 22, 1983.
After high school Ruth worked at Lucille Livingston's Coffee Shop, the Ben Franklin Store, Rexall Drug where she stirred up great chocolate sodas, the OPA (Office of Price Administration designed to control wartime inflation), and in the office of Cudahy's. Later she was Shorty's secretary at Farmer's Mutual Insurance and the bookkeeper at Clark Lumber Company. After Shorty's untimely death she rose to the occasion and became the sole proprietor of the Lumber Company for nearly eleven years. There were only two years of Ruth's life that she did not live in Bedford. This is when she and Shorty owned and operated the Country Boys Lumber Yard in Grant City, before returning to Bedford and establishing Clark Lumber Company.
Ruth was an enthusiastic promoter and worker in the Bedford Community; a long-time member of the Rebekah Lodge, Lioness, and the Chamber of Commerce. After retirement she volunteered as a guide at the Taylor County Museum. She sold tickets at the gate of the Taylor County Fair for many years.
The Bedford Baptist Church was always her church home; she attended services there from the time she was a child. Ruth asked Jesus to be her Savior at the age of twelve, becoming a member of the church almost 70 years ago. When she was in high school she began playing the piano at church, which she continued throughout her life. When the organ became a part of the church's music she became a self-taught organist as well. She was very proud that six generations of her family, beginning with her grandparents, attended the Bedford Baptist Church regularly.
Ruth's faith carried her through many difficult times. A clinging cross, given to her by a dear friend, brought her much comfort during her final illness. It was always in her hand for every doctor's appointment and treatment as a reminder of God's love and care.
Ruth was a grandmother extraordinaire. She had a remarkable sense of how she could be of help and encouragement to her eight grandchildren, their spouses and her twelve great grandchildren. She sent cards, made phone calls, sent little packages, was readily available for visits, ran errands, helped baby-sit, and always claimed her grandmother's rights for holding and cuddling a new baby. Every child should have a grandmother as loving as Ruth.
In addition to her joy of being with her immediate family, she treasured visits from her two nieces who live away, Judy and Merle Engleka, and Kaye and Len Ware. She was grateful that Carole (a special cousin) and Vic Noer lived close-by, which made possible many happy times together.
Ruth is survived by two daughters and a son: Cathy and Don Cochran, Spring Hill, KS; Brent and Debbie Clark, Glenwood, IA; Patricia and David Dukes, Bedford, IA., and grandchildren: Brandi and Kevin Chambers, Tera and Matt Schlotfelt, Alison Clark and Dan Porter, James Clark, Megan Clark, Elaina and James Johnson, Troy and Erin Dukes, Katy and Dustin Longfellow. Great grandchildren are Katelynn, Taylor and Sarah Chambers; Banner Schlotfelt; Preston and Logen Clark; Zachary, Alexander and Bradley Johnson; Mason and Quinton Dukes; and Ruthie Grace Longfellow.
[Obituary courtesy of Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel, Bedford, Iowa.]
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