Grimsley, Ruth Adeline Nelson (1925-2019)

GRIMSLEY, NELSON, LARSON, FRISK, PRIBYL, STOLT, FREDERICK, CROUSE, DAVIS, TEIGLAND, LEEMAN

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:02

South Hamilton Record News, Jewell, Iowa
March 6, 2019

Ruth Adeline (Nelson) Grimsley passed away at the Hubbard Care Center on Friday, February 22, 2019. Her funeral service was held on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at the Elim Lutheran Church in Randall. Pastor Jim Norem officiated.

Ruth Adeline Nelson Grimsley was the first born of Carl Martin Nelson and Esther Marie (Larson) Nelson. She was born in their home in Randall, Iowa on October 4, 1925. She graduated from Randall High School in 1943 and from St. Olaf College in 1947.

Ruth was one of the first counselors at Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp and was handpicked by Rev. AJ Bringle to help him establish the first camping season. She recalled they slept in tents and had a wonderful time that summer.

She taught school in Elk Horn, Sheffield, Stanhope and Ellsworth and substituted at South Hamilton after her marriage. On June 21, 1952, she was united in marriage with Curtis Eugene Grimsley at Elim Lutheran Church in Randall. To this union three children were born DeAnn, Donna and Gene.

Other than teaching, Ruth lived most of her life in Randall. Once Curt and Ruth began their family, Ruth stayed home to raise their own and many other children. She loved all the children and met many wonderful families over the years. She was always helping those less fortunate and thinking nothing of it. She was active in Elim Lutheran church - singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, attending ladies groups and helping in any way she could.

Ruth set a fine example for all she encountered. Her consistently positive attitude was prevalent in her life. She was grateful for the small things in life and even when faced with disappointments her response would be "sometimes these things happen". She did not hold a grudge. While living with dementia, Ruth was able to maintain her kind heart, her quirky sense of humor and dignity. She could always make us laugh right along with her.

Ruth was called to her heavenly home on February 22, 2019 from Hubbard Care Center where she was lovingly cared for until the time of her death.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis in 1989, her parents, Carl Martin and Esther Nelson, a sister and brother-in-law, Clara and Bernie Leeman, a brother Sterling Nelson and brother-in-law, Larry Teigland.

Survivors include: daughters DeAnn (Steven) Frisk of Randall and Donna (David) Pribyl of Story City; and son Gene (Jill) Grimsley of Roland. Grandchildren: Melissa (Scott) Stolt of Kamrar, Mike (Melanie) Frisk of Ames; Brian (Selena) Pribyl of Van Wert, Casey Pribyl of Randall; Matt (Malissa) Grimsley of Roland, Rachel (Spencer) Frederick of Nevada and Sarah (Brian) Crouse of Ankeny. Great grandchildren Curtis (Amber) Stolt of Jewell, Hailey (Josh) Davis of Ames, Emily, Allison and Mya Frisk of Ames, Carlie Pribyl of Randall, Maddox, Maverick and Macey Grimsley of Roland and Tessa, Clayton and Rose Frederick of Nevada and great great granddaughter, Ellie Stolt of Jewell. Sister June Teigland of Cedar Rapids and sister in law, Jan Nelson of Rogers, Arkansas also survive her. She also has many nieces, nephews and friends who mourn her passing.

Ruth requested memorials be directed to Hubbard Care Center, Elim Lutheran Church or Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp in her memory. The family thanks everyone for their loving and caring acts of kindnesses at this time.

Soderstrum Funeral Home (www.SoderstrumAdams.com) of Story City handled the arrangements.