OETKEN, Ruth 1916 - 2014

OETKEN, RODERICK, GRUMMON, SOUHRADA, KENT

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 1/15/2018 at 23:48:46

Ruth Oetken, 97, of Rockwell, died on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, at the Rockwell Nursing Home.

A funeral service will be 2 p.m. on Saturday April 12, 2014, at First Baptist Church 121 2nd St. N., Rockwell, IA 50469. Pastor Ken Livingston will officiate.

Interment will follow at Rockwell Cemetery. A visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. on Friday April 11, 2014, at Fullerton Funeral Home, 120 S. Third St., Rockwell.

Ruth was born Oct. 13, 1916, to George and Bertha Maude (Roderick) Grummon in Rockwell. She lived there all of her life. She graduated high school and got her teaching certificate in 1936.

Then taught for seven years before marrying the love of her life, Clarence Oetken, in 1943 in Rockwell. Unto this union five children were born. Ruth was a devoted mother and grandmother, not only to her own children but to others, she was always a teacher. She was an inspiration to her family and a Christian.

Ruth was an artist who loved to paint, all her children have a piece of her work. In later years Clarence would take pictures of churches in their travels, and she would then paint them. She was a pianist, since the age of 12 she played the piano and organ at the church. Ruth belonged to First Baptist Church Ladies Aide and taught Sunday school for the church. Ruth belonged to the church for over 95 years. She also belonged to the Mason City Women’s Chorus, and was a part of the Cemetery Society. She was always ready to put some coffee on for her family, including a snack for friends and neighbors.

Those left to cherish Ruth’s memory are her children Phyllis (Dalyn) Souhrada of Lime Springs, Lois Oetken of Watertown, Wis., Merlin Oetken of Mason City, and Paul (Joyce) Oetken of Greenville, Mich. She had 17 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews. Also the family would like to say a special thank you to the family (staff) at Rockwell Nursing Home.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Catherine Kent, her brothers Gilbert, Dan and Edwin Grummon, a daughter Marilyn June, a daughter-in-law Janice Oetken, grandchildren Dean Oetken, Arianna Oetken, and a great-granddaughter Anna Souhrada.

We all know Ruth is now playing piano in heaven with Reva. May she Rest in Paradise.