Ruth Ardith (Knuths) WILLEY

KNUTHS, WILLEY, WILLIAMS, MCKINLEY, ESPEY, THURMAN, MILLS, RUPPERT, BURT, EICHMANN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:47

Ruth Ardith (Knuths) Willey
June 22, 1930 --- February 19, 2022

Ruth Ardith (Knuths) Willey, 91, of Riceville, Iowa passed away on Saturday, Feb 19, 2022 while wintering in Mesa, Arizona following a brief illness.

Ruth was born on June 22, 1930 in Blaine Township, [Wright County], Iowa to Jay and Nina Knuths. She attended schools in Rowan, Iowa, graduating in 1946. Upon graduation she enrolled in college at Waldorf in Forest City, Iowa and completed two years.

She married Dwight Willey on October 10, 1948 in the First Congregational Church in Rowan, Iowa. She helped farm in Rowan and Clarion area until 1954 at which time she moved to Riceville with Dwight and started farming at their current location. She was a true farming wife – caring for the home and kids all the while helping as she could with all the farming activities. As they had a dairy farm, she washed many a milking machine and bulk tank over the years. In the fall and spring, she was the “hired person” who drove the tractors and ran errands for Dwight in addition to cooking all the meals.

Ruth’s many loves were country living, her flowers and garden. (She was raising sweet corn as recently as last year and was well known for the quantity and quality of her product.) She enjoyed craft work and refinishing furniture. When Dwight was alive they traveled throughout the United States and to countries around the world. They were very active square dancers. Ruth was involved with 4-H clubs with her children and was an active member of the Howard County Council. She was also an active member of the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ of Riceville and a member of several social clubs in the area.

After retirement she and Dwight became devout snowbirds wintering in Florida, Texas and for the last 20+ years in Mesa, Arizona. There she enjoyed her one true love in addition to her family and friends -- playing cards most every day. Dwight and she played all kinds of games and truly enjoyed themselves. She was playing cards right up till the week before her death.

Ruth is survived by her children Cheryl (Bill) Williams of Houston, TX, Brian (Bonnie) Willey of Ankeny, IA, and Sharon McKinley of Rollingstone, MN; grandchildren Mandy (Paul) Espey (West Des Moines, IA), Ashleigh Williams and Juan Thurman (Houston, TX), Joshua Williams and Hope Mills (Silver Springs, MD), Katrina Williams (Alisa Viejo, CA), Michelle and Molly McKinley (Whitehall, WI) Jacob Williams (Milwaukee, WI), and Cassie McKinley and Jacob Ruppert (Winona, MN), and great grandchildren Will and Ben Espey.

Ruth was preceded in death by her spouse Dwight Willey, her parents Jay and Nina (Burt) Knuths, her brothers Leroy Knuths and Robert Knuths, and her sister Yvonne (Knuths) Eichmann, and son-in-law Dan McKinley.

Ruth, as did Dwight, would like all to know:

It’s been a great journey. There have been highs and lows but I’ve had a very fortunate life having so many loving family and friends. It’s been great and want to thank everyone for enjoying the journey with me.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Riceville Welcome Center, Attn: Janet Dahlke, 2865 410th St., Riceville, Iowa 50466 in memory of Ruth Willey.

https://www.lindstromfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Ruth-Willey?obId=24100045