Ruth Elizabeth Hanft

HANFT, ANWYL, DODD, TATE, GOLDSBOROUGH

Posted By: Skipton
Date: 4/13/2011 at 22:38:44

Ruth Elizabeth Hanft, a native of Columbus Junction, Iowa, and for the last 57 years, a resident of Twenynine Palms, California, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2011.

She is survived by R.J.Tate, Carma Goldsborough, Tim, Ed, Doug and Kurt Hanft, as well as her 13 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Her husband, Major George Jacob Hanft, preceded her in passing.

Ruth was born September 21, 1915, in Washington, Iowa. Her father was Neil Anwyl of Columbus Junction, Iowa. Her mother was Mae Dodd of Washington, Iowa. Ruth graduated from Columbus High School in 1933. Her future husband, George Jacob Hanft also graduated the same year. George and Ruth were married on October 6 1942, just before he was shipped to the Pacific Islands during WWII.

From 1950-1953 they and their four kids lived in Japan. George was then transferred to Twentynine Palms where they had two more children and George retired with the rank of Major in the United State Marine Corp. Both she and George were very active in the community in too many ways to name.

Ruth was an active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. She was also an artist who loved to hand paint cards and bookmarks for family and friends.

Ruth was an accomplished crocheter and spent much of her time crocheting baby blankets that were donated to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and Fresno Children's Hospital. She was the oldest member of the Navy Relief Society dating back to WWII.

Her family and friends were her greatest joy. She enjoyed the company of her son-in-law, Jim, and her daughters-in-law, Gabrielle, Marilee and Linda. She was devoted to her grandchildren and enjoyed five years as "Great-Grandma Old" to her great-grandson, Tate.

An avid traveler, she and George spent decades exploring the Baja Peninsula. Ruth was 95 years young.