Ruth Nolting
Ruth A. Nolting of Waukon passed away peacefully just short of her 99th birthday at 5:25 p.m. Monday afternoon, January 30, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 4 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Pastor Samantha Houser officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.
Martin Funeral Home in Waukon assisted the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Iowa Special Olympics or Camp Courageous.
Ruth Althea Nolting was born on a farm near Baxter March 2, 1918 to Benjamin and Elizabeth Sophie (Stock) Hansmeier; they moved to the Waukon area when she was about seven years old. Ruth was christened May 26, 1918 in Baxter and confirmed at Zion Reformed Church (now Zion United Church of Christ) in Waukon March 20, 1932.
Her mother passed away when Ruth was 15. Despite having to drop out of school to take care of her four siblings, she continued her studies and was known for her organizational skills and penmanship while working with her husband in his law practice.
Ruth and Martin Nolting were married June 22, 1938 at her parents’ home in Waukon and the following year they moved into the home she had been living in for the past 78 years on Fifth Avenue in Waukon. Getting back to their farming roots, they had a large garden and various animals at their house over the years, including chickens and rabbits.
She was active in the church and enjoyed quilting, sewing, traveling and fishing with members of her family. An avid sports fan, she followed her children’s and grandchildren’s activities and also followed all the Iowa college sports. She also enjoyed visiting with her many friends. One of the highlights of her adventurous life was her trip to Europe with her sister, Leona, especially to Germany when she found her ancestors’ home and visited their church.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother, Meta Renne Hansmeier; her husband, Martin; a daughter-in-law, Doreen; her brothers: Marvin “Dick”, Harvey “Shorty” and Ralph Hansmeier; and her sisters- and brother-in-law.
She is survived by her sister, Leona Bell of Plano, TX; and Ruth’s six children and their families:
Her son, Milt (Ruth) of Spirit Lake and their two children, Tim and Heidi. Tim and his wife, Monique, live in Beaverton, OR with their children, Gianna, August and Camella. Heidi and Kenny Brittain live in Spirit Lake and have three children, Lianna, Trever and Aliyah.
Her daughter, Elizabeth (Dale) Livingood of Oelwein and their children, Allen and Todd. Allen and his wife, Kathryn, live in Falmouth, ME with their children, Ethan and Nate. Todd and his wife, Carmen, live in Kasson, MN with their three children, Heather, Joe and Josh.
Her son, Chuck (Suzanne) of Bettendorf and their children, Jon, Jeff and David. Jon and his wife, Amy, live in Palatine, IL with their children, Sara and Sean. Jeff and his wife, Tara, live in Des Moines with their daughters, Clare and Emilia. David lives in Bettendorf.
Her son, Larry, lives in Cedar Rapids and his wife, Doreen, passed away in 2013. Their daughter Kim (Mitch) Johnk lives in Panora and has three children, Karlee and Morgan, both at home, and Austin (McKayla), who lives in Grimes.
Her son, Roger (Brenda) of Davenport and their two daughters, Stephanie and Beth.
Her daughter, Nancy (Steve) Evans of Arvada, CO and their children, Sara and Ben. Sara lives in Las Vegas, NV and Ben (Chrissy) lives in Boise, ID.
Honorary casketbearers were Heidi Brittain, Sara Evans, Kim Johnk, and Beth and Stephanie Nolting. Casketbearers were Tim Nolting, Jon, Jeff and David Nolting, Allen and Todd Livingood, Ben Evans and Austin Johnk.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
