DUTCHER, Ruth J. (1928-2022)

DUTCHER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/30/2022 at 12:56:04

Ruth Joanne Dutcher
(September 3, 1928 - April 28, 2022)

Ruth Joanne (Thomas) Dutcher died Thursday, April 28, 2022, at Good Samaritan Care Center in Indianola from complications of Alzheimer’s. She was 93 years old.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 4, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Indianola, with Rev. Dr. Donnley Dutcher officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Burial of the cremains will take place in the Carlisle Cemetery at a later date.
Ruth was born September 3, 1928, in Carlisle, Iowa, to Ralph and Orpha (Dearing) Thomas. She was a devoted daughter - after her father left the family, Ruth cared for her mother, who suffered from physical and mental health issues. Her grandparents, Roy and Ida Thomas, provided much emotional support for her and the Methodist Church gave her spiritual support. Ruth loved school and loved music. She played the piano, the snare drum, and was majorette for the marching band. She was also the organist for her church. Ruth graduated from Carlisle High School in 1946.
In 1946, Ruth enrolled in Simpson College, where she studied music for two years. She then moved to Des Moines and worked for the Credit Bureau. She joined the choir at the Methodist Church and met Herbert Dutcher. When he commented on her broad shoulders, she knew that she had met the love of her life. They would secretly hold hands during the church service, the long sleeves of their choir robes hiding their hands. Ruth and Herb were married on February 3, 1951, at her home church in Carlisle. They settled in the Beaverdale area of Des Moines and had three daughters - Claudia, Janet, and Cyndi. They lived in a delightful neighborhood with many young families and made many dear friends.
The family moved to Centerville, Iowa, in 1958. The following year, their son Dean was born. While living there, Herb and Ruth had a weekly date night - they attended choir practice at the Methodist Church every Wednesday evening. Ruth and a friend had a Sunday afternoon radio program, where they played and discussed music on KCOG Radio. It was in Centerville where Ruth first heard a college student named Simon Estes perform at a local concert - she became a life-long fan of his.
In 1961, the Dutchers moved to Osceola then finally settled in Indianola in 1963. They became members of the United Methodist Church, where Ruth served on numerous committees and taught Sunday School. She and Herb sang in the choir and played in the hand bell choir for many years. Ruth was active in the PTA of Emerson Elementary and served as a leader of the Quadettes 4-H group.
Ruth worked part time at Bankers Life (now Principal Financial Group) then was hired in 1969 to work at Peoples Trust and Savings Bank. Ruth was a teller, manager of the motor bank, and a safe deposit clerk. She enjoyed working there and made many life-long friends at the bank. She retired from the bank in 1993.
Ruth’s whistle was famous to all who knew her. She tried to teach her own children to whistle like she did, but with no success. However, she was able to teach one of the neighbor girls how to whistle. Ruth was well known for baking chocolate chip cookies and coffee cake to give to others. Ruth and Herb enjoyed riding their tandem bicycle around town and in various parades. They also took many camping trips throughout the years. They attended Grandparent-Grandchild camp many times with their grandkids at Wesley Woods. Many memories were made during those special times. Ruth was part of the Red Hat Society, sang with the Indianola Sweet Adelines, and was an active member of the Carlisle Alumni Association. She also loved celebrating her birthday by riding the carousel in Story City.
Ruth and Herb sold their home in 2019 and moved to Vintage Hills in Indianola. In January 2022, Ruth was moved to the Good Samaritan Care Center. She unknowingly kept the staff entertained and was a beloved resident. Upon her death, the window in her room was opened wide so her spirit could fly to heaven.
Survivors include her husband, Herb Dutcher, Indianola; daughters Claudia (Joe) Tillman, Forest City; Janet (Allan Fuller) Dutcher, Urbandale; Cyndi Niemeyer, Port Charlotte, Florida; and son Dean (Leah Rolan) Dutcher, Indianola. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Marissa (Mike) Flugum, Katie (Adam) Krug, Maggie Tillman, Doug (Marie) Fuller, Elisabeth (Austin) Carnes, Angela (Dale Bucy) Niemeyer, and Casey (Mark) Gripp. Also surviving are 13 great-children: Libbie, Emma, Christian, Kiera, Brooke, Dawson, Angelea, Barrett, Sterling, Lee, Jaedyn, Avrie, and Devyn; her sister Lynne (Wayne) Wilkinson, Loveland, Colorado; and many nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, James Thomas; her granddaughter, Ashley Dutcher; and Herb’s three brothers and their wives.

Ruth’s family would like to thank the staff at Vintage Hills, Good Samaritan Care Center, and Hospice of the Midwest for the wonderful care they gave her during the progression of her disease. Their kindness toward Ruth is very much appreciated.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to one of the following: First United Methodist Church, 307 W. Ashland, Indianola, Iowa 50125; Carlisle Alumni Association, P.O. Box 3, Carlisle, Iowa 50047; Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/