Ruth Elizabeth (Christenson) MIDDLETON OBE

OBE, CHRISTENSON, MIDDLETON, GUSTAFSON, LEACH

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/18/2007 at 17:24:51

The Burlington Hawkeye, Iowa
February 23, 2003

Ruth Elizabeth Obe, 88, of Burlington, died Saturday, February 22, 2003, at 3:00 a.m. in Great River Medical Center, West Burlington. She had been a resident of the Burlington Care Center for 19 years. Born October 14, 1914, in Otho, Iowa, she was the daughter of David and Jennie Christenson. On September 29, 1934, she married Bruce Middleton. They resided in Eagle Grove for many years. In 1964, she married Richard Obe and they lived in Webster City. Mrs. Obe graduated from Renwick High School in 1932. She attended Eagle Grove Junior College and Iowa State Teachers College. She was an accomplished cellist, pianist and vocalist. While in college, she sang the female lead in the "Pirates of Penzance" and "La Boehme." She later was chosen as a featured female vocalist with the Fort Dodge Men's Chorus. She also played cello in the Fort Dodge production of the "Messiah." She was of the Christian faith. She taught piano and vocal lessons in Eagle Grove and Webster City for many years. She was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Eagle Grove. She also loved bowling and was an avid reader.

Survivors include one daughter, Jane Gustafson of Burlington; three grandchildren, Bruce Gustafson of Fort Madison, Paul Gustafson of Lexington, Mo., and Ann Gustafson Leach and her husband Jim of Andrews, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Jane Elizabeth Leach and Brett James Leach, both of Andrews, Texas. There will be no visitation at Lunning Funeral Chapel. A private family burial is planned in the Webster City Cemetery. The family requests no flowers and a memorial has been established for the Burlington Public Library.