Shoop, Martha R. (Hardin) 1922-2009

SHOOP, HARDIN, LUETY

Posted By: Ernie Braida (email)
Date: 1/10/2010 at 17:24:08

Martha Ruth Shoop was born January 13, 1922 in Pleasantville, Iowa the daughter of William Wesley Hardin and Martha (Luety) Hardin.

Ruth graduated from Pleasantville High School and then attended Central College in Pella. She then taught school at Luther, Iowa for two years.

On May 23, 1944 Ruth was united in marriage to Rex Shoop in San Diego, California. The couple lived in California while Rex served his country during WWII. They later returned to Pleasantville, where they most of their lives.

Ruth went to Drake University and earned her B.A. Degree and then taught for the Pleasantville School system for 23 ½ years until her retirement in 1982. In 2005 Rex and Ruth moved to Des Moines.

Ruth was active in the community, including the Order of Eastern Star, the Pleasantville Christian Church and served as a Democratic Chairperson. She loved teaching and started a program where her 5th graders would go to the Knoxville V.A. and spend time with the patients. She also held a mock election at school every year to teach her students the democratic process. She loved all children and had a passion for teaching. Ruth’s greatest joy was her family; she cherished her husband, children and grandchildren.

Ruth passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at the Valley View Village, in Des Moines, at the age of 87 years, 3 months and 9 days.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Those left to honor her memory include her husband of 64 years, Rex; daughter, Patricia (James) Felderman of Pleasant Hill; son, Alan (Phyllis) Shoop of Norwalk; 8 grandchildren: Stephen (Melinda) Larsen, Deborah Larsen, Nick (Dao) Shoop, Scott (Deborah) Shoop, Johanna Shoop, Dirk Felderman, Shaun Felderman and Kalyn Zuber; 7 great-grandchildren: Emma Larsen, Owen Shoop, Sharon Daack, Nicole Bailey, Paula Zuber, Tristan Felderman and Brianna Felderman; her brother, William (Angie) Hardin of Knoxville and many other family members and friends.

Burial: Pleasantville Cemetery

Bertrand Funeral Home April 2009