Irene L. Ruter, 79, of Wellsburg, Iowa, died Friday, August 10, 2007, at the Presbyterian Village in Ackley, Iowa, while under the care of Iowa Hospice. Funeral services will be 1:30 P.M., Monday, August 13, 2007, at the Wellsburg Reformed Church in Wellsburg, with Pastor Todd Rempe officiating. Burial will follow at the Wellsburg Reformed Church Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, August 12, 2007, from 5:00 P.M., to 8:00 P.M., at Doyen-Abels Funeral Home in Wellsburg, and also on Monday morning at the funeral home from 9:00 A.M to 11:00 A.M. The family will be present on Sunday evening to greet friends. Memorials may be directed to the family. .
Irene Lillian (Knock) Ruter was born on December 12, 1927, the daughter of Eilert W. and Tena (Kruse) Knock. Irene received her education in Wellsburg, graduating from Wellsburg High School in 1945. On August 19, 1947, Irene was united in marriage to Elmer J. Ruter at the Wellsburg Reformed Church. After their marriage, Elmer and Irene lived in Wellsburg until 1952 when they moved on the farm in rural Wellsburg. They retired and moved off of the farm in 1990, moving back to Wellsburg. Irene worked for the Wellsburg Herald for a couple of years, and then became a full time homemaker and farm wife. On June 30, 2005, Irene's husband Elmer died, and she continued to make Wellsburg her home. Irene was a lifelong member of the Wellsburg Reformed Church-where she had made her profession of faith. She was a member of the ladies guild, had been a past choir director, and also taught Catechism and Sunday school. Irene was a member of the Homemaker's Group and also golfed on the women's golf league at Meadowbrook Golf Course in Wellsburg. Irene was an excellent seamstress and also enjoyed doing counted cross-stitch. She was a wonderful baker. Irene's grandchildren were her life.
She is survived by two daughters Debra Aalfs and her husband Terry of Wellsburg, Iowa; Diane "Deester" Petersen and her husband Curt of Madisonville, Kentucky; one son Howard Ruter of West Des Moines, Iowa; eight grandchildren; five-great-grandchildren; and one sister Annette O?Kones of Aplington, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Elmer; and one brother Wilbur Knock.