Ruth Jean Fennell Dean (1924-2010)

DEAN, FENNELL, STINITIS, STEVENS, BOGAERT, VEEN

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 11/29/2010 at 14:09:44

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Saturday, November 27, 2010.

Ruth Jean Fennell Dean passed away on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010, at Heartwood House in Ames, at the age of 86 years and eight months. A celebration of life will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Collegiate United Methodist Church, Ames. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, at Adams Funeral Home.

Ruth was born March 27, 1924, in Chicago the daughter of Mary (Stinitis) and Patrick Fennell. She graduated from Farragut High School in Chicago in 1941, and worked for the Illinois Bell Telephone Company. She met her future husband, Dwight Gantz Dean, at the Chicago Temple, and they were married in Chicago on April 22, 1949. Dwight passed away on Dec. 5, 1989.

She took great delight in children, helping raise two sons, and later enjoying time with her grandchildren. The value she placed on children and on education was also seen in her teaching career in early elementary at Mound School in Newark, Ohio, and United Community School in Iowa.

When able, Ruth was an active member of Collegiate United Methodist Church in Ames, and the Iowa State University Faculty Wives (volunteering at their Thrift Store). In her later years, Ruth developed Alzheimer’s disease. When her health necessitated greater care, Ruth was blessed by the loving care of the staff of Heartwood House. Ruth finally “slipped the surly bonds of earth and touched the face of God” Saturday morning, Nov. 27, 2010.

She is survived by her two sons, Philip L. Dean (Sarah Macht), Des Moines, and the Rev. Bob Dean (Diane), Oskaloosa; two grandchildren, Megan Stevens, Des Moines, and Thomas Dean, Oskaloosa; two great-grandchildren, Caleb and Ashley Stevens; two nephews; and three nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Frank Fennell; and two sisters, Mary Bogaert and Estelle Vander Veen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Collegiate United Methodist Church or Heartwood House.

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