Martin, Ruth Joan 1937-2023

MARTIN, ZANGER, BLANKENSHIP, WALT

Posted By: Mary Burroughs, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/5/2023 at 14:12:16

From: Le Mars Sentinel, Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Ruth Joan (Zanger-Blankenship) Martin died Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Aurora on France in Edina, Minnesota, at the age of 86. She struggled with Alzheimer’s and a recently fractured hip. She died surrounded by her family.

Ruth Joan Zanger was born March 26, 1937, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the daughter of Catharine (Carman) Walt. She attended public school in Colorado Springs and continued her education at Colorado A & M in Fort Collins, Colorado. She graduated in 1961 with a degree in home economics and textile design.

Ruth was united in marriage to John A. Blankenship in 1957. Pam and Dan were born to Ruth and John while they were in college. Upon graduation the young family moved to Fullerton, Nebraska, where John began his veterinary practice. In 1963 they moved to Wausa, Nebraska, and they welcomed a third child, Ned, to their family. Ruth and John lived and raised their family in Wausa for the next 32 years. While in Wausa, Ruth was actively involved in the United Methodist Church, Wausa Woman’s Club, the Ecology Shed, and 4-H as the Busy Bees club leader.

Ruth was an avid golfer and a longtime Husker fan. She became a Home Interiors displayer after the children started college. Ruth cared lovingly for John during his lung cancer illness until he passed away in 1995.

Ruth married Milton “Milt” Martin on July 31, 1999, in Le Mars. In Le Mars, Ruth continued her community involvement, attending the Bible Church, Bible study, and Christian Women’s Club. She enjoyed bridge club and golf league with friends.

Survivors include a daughter, Pam (Jules) Banks of Westfield, and their children, Benjamin (Aleesha) Banks and their children, Melody, Hazel and Leo; and Leah Banks of Vermillion South Dakota; a son, Dan (Neuma) Blankenship of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and their children, John and Aja; a son, Ned (Susan) Blankenship of Edina, Minnesota, and their children, Macklan and Jacob; Stepchildren: Jim (Kerry-Lee) Martin of Lisburn, North Ireland and their children, Benjamin and Grace; Aaron (Katie) Lee of Des Moines, and their children, Blake and Oliver; and Adam (Amanda) Lee of Portland, Oregon and their children Alexandra, Annabelle and Madeline; two step-daughters-in-law: Angela (Doug Martin) (Neil) Wilson of Des Moines, and their daughter, Michaela (Luke) Denlinger, and their children, Everest and Aven and Melinda (Tom Martin) (Dan) Stelling of Pierce, Nebraska; a sister: Alice Law of Rogers, Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Catharine Walt; stepfather, Earl Walt; her husbands, John Blankenship and Milton Martin; stepsons Doug, Tom and Mike; and a sister-in-law Lynn Blankenship.

Memorial Service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 29, at the Le Mars Bible Church in Le Mars. The Rev. Fred Gums will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will be from 10 a.m. Until service time and following the burial during a time of lunch and fellowship at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials in Ruth’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association of Siouxland or the St. Joseph’s Indian School.

Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.