Ruth E. Koelker, 1915-2013

KOELKER, LOESER, SCHERMER, ANDERSON, DIEHM

Posted By: Cheryl Moonen (email)
Date: 10/22/2014 at 10:58:22

DYERSVILLE, Iowa - Ruth E. Koelker, 97, of Dyersville, died Monday, April 1, 2013, at Stonehill Care Center, Dubuque.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, with the Rev. Noah Diehm officiating. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery, Dyersville. Friends may call from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 5, at Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville, where a wake service will be at 5 p.m.

Ruth was born on June 1, 1915, in Dyersville, daughter of Simon and Josephine (Loeser) Schermer. She graduated on June 2, 1932, from St. Francis Academy in Dyersville and was also a graduate of the University of Dubuque, where she received her teaching certification. She taught in the country schools. She graduated from Upper Iowa, Fayette, and attended the University of Iowa. She then taught special education classes at Western Dubuque schools. She later transferred to teach art in kindergarten through the eighth grade. She also taught night classes through Northeast Iowa Community College in ceramics and crafts.

She married Lawrence Koelker on Feb. 8, 1947, at St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville. Together they farmed on her parents' century farm. She and her husband owned and operated LaRu's Kountry Krafts. He preceded her in death on Oct. 1, 1983.

Ruth was a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Dyersville. She volunteered as a Girl Scout leader for several years.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter and son-in-law, Doris Anderson, on Aug. 6, 1969, and Wesley Anderson, on Aug. 4, 1969.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com.