Ruth Elaine (Pate) LABS

LABS, PATE, ROSS, COLTVET, BIRD, BRADY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/7/2009 at 10:53:24

February 7, 2009
Fort Dodge Messenger, Iowa

WEBSTER CITY - Ruth E. Labs, 80, of Webster City, died Friday, February 6, 2009 at Crestview Senior Living in Webster City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Rev. Bill Van Nostrand officiating. Burial will follow in the Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Foster Funeral and Cremation Center.

Ruth Elaine Pate, daughter of Cecil and Gladys Ross Pate was born on March 30, 1928 in Clarion, Iowa. She received her education in the Clarion Community Schools, graduating in 1946. Following her education, she worked for 1 year at the Coltvet Grocery in Holmes, Iowa before beginning her career with Northwestern Bell as a telephone operator. She then transferred to Pasadena, CA; and in 1963, she transferred to the Webster City office of Northwestern Bell as an operator. On June 13, 1964, she married Arthur Raymond Labs in Cedar Rapids. The couple resided on a farm north of Webster City. Mrs. Labs retired in the mid 70's with over 32 years of service with Northwestern Bell. In addition to her husband, Arthur, she is survived by her sister, Shirley Bird of Racida, CA; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Doreen Labs of Center Point, IA; cousin, Tim (Jane) Pate of Clarion, IA; several nieces and nephews; special friends, Dennis and Beth Brady of Eagle Grove. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and a sister in infancy, Cleone Nadeen Pate. She was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Woolstock where she served as president of the Ladies Aid Circle. Ruth was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Woolstock.