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HORKMAN, Ruth C. (nee Ziebell) (Deverell) 1924-2005

HORKMAN, HEITZ, ZIEBELL

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/3/2009 at 16:37:21

Ruth C. Deverell Horkman

ROCKFORD, IOWA — Ruth C. Deverell Horkman, 81, a resident of the Good Shepherd Health Center and formerly of Charles City and 211 Sixth St. N.W. in Rockford, died Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 13, 2005) at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.

Prior to her death, Ruth chose to donate her body to the Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine as a final token of her giving nature.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. today at Zion Lutheran Church, 805 E. Main Ave. in Rockford with the Rev. Patricia Shaw officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.

The family will greet relatives and friends for a time of remembrance and fellowship in the Zion Lutheran Fellowship Hall following Ruth’s service. Those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may direct them to the Bremwood Lutheran Children’s Home in Waverly.

Ruth Clara Deverell Horkman was born on July 26, 1924, in Charles City to Emil and Clara (Heitz) Ziebell. She was the only daughter and second child born to her parents and spent her entire life in Floyd and Cerro Gordo counties.

Ruth attended school in Rockford and graduated among her senior class in 1942. While in high school, she earned a teaching certificate and taught school the next few years at the rural Rockford country school. Several of her former students had remained life-long friends.

On March 25, 1945, Ruth was united in marriage to Ralph K. Deverell at the Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford. The couple became the busy parents of five children. Ralph died in March of 1984.

Ruth was employed at several area businesses in accounting, as a bookkeeper or clerk positions. Many in the area will well remember her when she was working at KGLO, the Rockford State Bank or the city of Rockford as the city clerk.

In December of 1990, Ruth married Dennis Horkman and the couple lived in Concordia, Kansas. Dennis died in 1995 and Ruth made the decision to move back to Iowa.

Ruth spent countless hours fabric shopping for just the right quilting material. She made quilts for many of her family members and friends, but was especially proud to have made a quilt a month and donated it to the Bremwood Lutheran Children’s Home in Waverly.

She was known to keep her family literally on “pins and needles” in her home as they would entangle in her carpet and furniture when she was working on the latest quilt.

Ruth collected memorabilia of butterflies, Coca-Cola and angels. She also found her thimble collection to be fascinating. Ruth was an avid reader, liked playing “500” and rummy and watching movies and spending time with her grandchildren.

Ruth’s children recall that Mom was a wonderful baker, specializing in pecan rolls, pies and cookies. She admired yellow roses and had a great sense of humor.

The neighborhood kids loved coming to Ruth’s home, especially on Sunday nights, to eat huge bowls of popcorn and of course, drink Coca-Cola.

Those left to cherish the memory of Ruth’s life include her children, David Deverell of Waynesboro, Pa.; Cliff Deverell of Vermillion, S.D.; Ann (Mike) Boltz of Circleville, Kan.; Paul Deverell, of Mason City and Alan (Becky Tousend) Deverell of Salina, Kan. Ruth will also be sadly missed by her 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Ruth in death are her two husbands, Ralph Deverell and Dennis Horkman; her parents, Emil and Clara Ziebell; and her brother, Clarence Ziebell.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 123 Second St. S.E. in Mason City, (641) 423-8676 -- www.fullertonfh.com

[Mason City Globe Gazette]


 

Floyd Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
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