Jordan, Ruth Berniece (Shawver) 1919-2007

JORDAN, SHAWVER, CORE

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/3/2008 at 19:39:03

Ruth Berniece Jordan was born on Aug. 25, 1919, in Pleasantville to Chester and Hazel (Core) Shawver.

She was raised in Pleasantville and graduated with the Class of 1937. She then attended Simpson College, where she played trumpet in the band and received her teaching degree. Ruth taught school in Swan and then in Pleasantville prior to her marriage.

On Oct. 31, 1945, she married Dean Jordan at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. The couple lived on Dean's family farm in the Swan area before purchasing their farm near Pleasantville in 1951. Following Dean's death in 1990, Ruth spent winters with her son, Denny in Des Moines, before moving to Norwalk in 1998.

Ruth had a variety of interests; she enjoyed reading, music, vegetable and flower gardens and spending time with her neighbors. She was active in the Methodist Church and taught Sunday School for many years. Ruth's greatest love was her family; she enjoyed being a farm wife and raising the children with Dean. She will be remembered as a patient, caring and loving person who placed everyone ahead of herself.

Ruth passed away on Feb. 28, 2007, at Mercy Capital, in Des Moines, at the age of 87.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dean in 1990 and two brothers, Leland and Dean Shawver.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Sandy & Jim Bahr of Norwalk; son, Denny Jordan of Des Moines; two grandchildren grandson; a great-granddaughter and many other family members and friends.

Funeral services were held at Mason Funeral Home on March 3 with Rev. Jeff Flagg officiating.

Interment was on March 4 in the Pleasantville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church or to the Gladys Black Memorial Garden.

The Knoxville Journal Express, March 15, 2007