Ruthven, La Vina Marie (Steel)

RUTHVEN, STEEL, ARNOLD

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/21/2005 at 17:37:14

Funeral services for La Vina Marie Ruthven, 84, of Pella were held July 29 at the Second Reformed Church in Pella, the Rev. Sophie Mathonnett-Vander Well and Rev. Steve Mathonnett-Vander Well officiating. Music was provided by pianist Joyce Kuyper and vocalist Dale Jansen.

Interment was at Oakwood Cemetery in Pella. Casket bearers were Jeremy Huffaker, Rusty Orr, Steven Orr, Monte Kirby, Kent Van Vark, Arvin Van Zante and Curtis Orr. Honorary casket bearers were Jaime Huffaker, Kara Ruthven, Emily Ruthven and David Ruthven.

La Vina Marie Steel, daughter and only child of Harry Elvis Steel and Laura Marie (Arnold) Steel was born on August 15, 1917 in Van Buren County near Douds, Iowa. She attended and graduated from the Douds Community Schools. She furthered her education with two summer sessions of summer school at a college in Fairfield. She completed her education at William Penn College in Oskaloosa with a four year credit degree during her early years of marriage. Her early years of teaching were in Douds and Morning Sun, Iowa.

La Vina was united in marriage with James Alexander Ruthven on June 9, 1940 in Memphis, Missouri. They started their married life in Eddyville where they had their first born, Jeanne Ann. In 1948 they moved to Pella and had their two sons, James Harry and Robert Allen. In 1960 La Vina began teaching at the grade school in Otley, where she taught all grades and completed 22 years of service upon her retirement.

After retirement, her hobbies included traveling, knitting, latch hook and playing cards with her dear friends. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren. She babysat with them, taught them card games and some of her baking secrets, plus she loved to read to them.

She was a faithful member of the Second Reformed Church in Pella, where she belonged to the Ladies Aid.

La Vina passed away Thursday evening, July 25, 2002 at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella after a short illness with liver cancer. She attained the age of 84 years, 11 months and 10 days. She will be greatly missed for her kind words and gentle ways.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, James A. Ruthven of Pella; their three children and their spouses: Jeanne A. and Michael Baer of Las Vegas, Nevada; James H. and Judy (Wellbrook) Ruthven of Gunnison, Colorado; and Robert A. and Carma (Cade) Ruthven of Pella; four grandchildren and one grandson-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Laura Steel. Arrangements were handled by Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home in Pella.

Memorials may be made to the Second Reformed Church in Pella.

The Pella Chronicle, August 12, 2002