DODGE, Ruth J. (Griffis) 1948-2014

DODGE, ELLIOTT, GRIFFIS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/10/2014 at 15:57:35

Ruth J. Dodge

(Died April 9, 2014)

Ruth J. Dodge, age 65, of Osage, Iowa, died Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at Westview Care Center in Britt, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 12, 2014, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in with Rev. Robert Dodge and CH (CPT) Timothy Griffis, U.S. Army, officiating. Burial will be at the Osage Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home.

Ruth was born November 9, 1948, in Osage, the daughter of Dean and Beda (Elliott) Dodge. Ruth attended school in Osage and graduated from Osage High School in 1967. In 1971, she graduated from Wartburg College. Ruth taught in Cannon Falls, Minnesota for 14 years and then received her Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota. Ruth adopted Beda Pauline Dodge from Calcutta, India in 1980, and in 1982, she adopted Kama Deane Dodge, also from Calcutta.

Ruth was a loving and caring mother who eagerly attended all of their activities including concerts, graduations, and sporting events. In 1985, she moved to Clarinda and taught there until she suffered a stroke in 1995. For the past 18 years, she has resided at various nursing homes. In spite of her disability, she enjoyed reading, collecting dolls, card games, crafts, and spending time with family. Ruth proudly gave away her eldest daughter for her wedding ceremony in May 2011. Ruth’s faith was very important to her. In earlier years, she was active in the United Methodist Church and after her stroke continued to be a devoted attendee at services.

Her survivors include two daughters, Beda P. Griffis and her husband, Chaplain Timothy Griffis stationed at Camp Stanley, Seoul, South Korea, and Kama Dodge of Iowa City; a brother, the Rev. Robert Dodge and his wife Brenda of Britt; aunt, Frances Morse of Osage; and nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home 641-732-3706

Source: Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, 10 APR 2014