Velene K. Ruff (1939-2019)

RUFF, KINTZLE, GERTENBACH

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 1/30/2019 at 12:32:04

Velene K. Ruff, 79, of Lost Nation, Iowa and formerly of Maquoketa passed away on Tuesday morning, January 29, 2019, at her home.

A celebration of Velene's life will be held at 11:30 A.M., Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30 A.M. to 11:15 A.M. at the funeral home. Cremation will follow the service and burial will be at the Bridgeport Cemetery, rural Maquoketa, Iowa, at a later date.

Velene was born on July 25, 1939 in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Ralph and Velma (Kintzle) Gertenbach. She attended Maquoketa schools. She married Clarence Ruff married on May 26, 1956 at the Methodist parsonage by Rev. Nothdurft. To that union four children were born.

Throughout Velene's life she worked as a waitress at the Nickel Nook, Custard Bowl, The Spot Café, and the Green Mill Café. She co-owned and kept books for Ruff's Auto. She also held jobs at Pacific Coast Feather Company, Maquoketa Senior Center and DAC, Inc.

Velene enjoyed reading, playing Scrabble, completing jig-saw puzzles, counted cross-stitch, crafting, gardening, and collecting Santa Clauses. But most of all, she enjoyed spending time with friends and family.

Velene is survived by her children Bill (Nancy) Ruff of St. Peters, MO, John (Diane) Ruff of Preston, IA, and Deanna (Dante) Merrick of Lost Nation, IA; 9 grandchildren, Jennifer, Bridget (Matt), Lindsay (Bob), Amanda, Jackie (Emily), Kristin (DJ), Clarence (Alexa), Velene (Clifton), and Marianne; 16 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Carol Honigmann of Lost Nation, IA, and Joyce Rohrbaugh of WV. She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence, her parents, sister Sharon, son David, and grandson Butch.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Velene K. Ruff memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.CarsonAndSon.com.