Ruth Lucille (Stewart) MONROE

STEWART, MONROE, HOEL, HOLMES, BREDALL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/7/2007 at 13:26:14

May 20, 2004

Ruth Lucille Stewart Monroe, 84, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Charles City, died Friday, May 14, 2004 following a short illness. Services were held Tuesday, May 18th at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids and at 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Charles City. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery in Charles City.

Ruth was born March 20, 1920 in Scranton, the daughter of James Samuel and Ruby Stewart. She lived in and graduated from high school in Clarion. She graduated from Iowa State University in 1942 with a Home Economics degree. On May 20, 1942, Ruth married Robert Monroe in Lubbock, Texas and they were stationed in San Antonio and Sabinal, Texas during World War II. In 1945, they moved to Charles City and in 1946 they opened their own business, Monroe Sporting Goods. Ruth also taught Home Economics in various Central and Eastern Iowa school districts. In 1995, Ruth and Bob moved to Cedar Rapids where they resided at Crystal Estates. Ruth was very active in community and church activities, often volunteering her time and talents. She was recognized as Charles City’s “Woman of the Year” for her commitment to community, volunteer and service activities. Ruth was a member of PEO, Eastern Star, AAUW, First Congregational (Charles City) and First Presbyterian (Cedar Rapids) fellowships and groups. Ruth will be remembered by her children and grandchildren for the individual afghans she knit for each of them. Yet her greatest legacy to her family was her life as a role model and teacher of character and life’s lessons.

Survivors include her husband of almost 62 years, Robert G. Monroe; two sons, Professor James R. Monroe and wife, Louise of Des Moines, John C. Monroe and wife, Cindy of Cedar Rapids; one daughter, Linda Hoel and husband, Roger of Coralville; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Irene Holmes of Omaha, Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Mary Bredall.

© Wright County Monitor 2004