Ruth (Barz) Balvanz

Ruth E. (Barz) Balvanz, 92, of Wellsburg, Iowa went to her home in Heaven Friday, March 2, 2018. She passed away at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center, Iowa.  A funeral service for Ruth will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 5, 2018 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora, Iowa with Pastor David Splett officiating.  Burial will follow the service at Eastlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Eldora.  Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 4, 2018 at St. Paul Lutheran Church.  Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora is caring for Ruth and her family.

Ruth Edith Barz, daughter of Otto and Martha (Daleske) Barz was born on May 27, 1925 near Eldora, Iowa.  She attended both Jackson and Eldora Township Country Schools and then graduated from Eldora High School in 1942.  On May 5, 1945 Ruth married Robert Reinholt William Balvanz at St. Paul Lutheran Church Parsonage in Eldora.  Ruth’s main vocation was as a wife, mother and homemaker.  She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where she was active in LWML, Ladies Aide and the Mary Mission Circle and Ruth and Naomi Circle. Ruth was very active in 4-H in her school years and was also a 4-H leader for a time.  Her hobbies included reading, quilting, crocheting, sewing, gardening and she enjoyed traveling. She made at least one quilt for each of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Survivors include her children, Vernon (May) Balvanz of Decatur, IL; Elaine (Dick) Grubbs of Davenport, IA; Nancy Hofmeister of Rowan, IA; Keith (Cindy) Balvanz of Wellsburg, IA; Kathleen (Ray) Avery of Mt. Vernon, WA; Pamela (Todd) Wenndt of Lancaster, WI; Christian (Christine) Balvanz of Wellsburg, IA; 21 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren and 20 great great grandchildren; brother, Marvin (Marilyn) Barz of Cheney, KS; sister, Ruby (James) Parris of Atkins, IA; sisters-in-law, Minnie Barz, Mary Balvanz, Doris Balvanz, and Jann Bradford.  Ruth is also survived by an aunt, Bernadine Daleske, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was also preceded in death by her husband Robert R.W. Balvanz; her brother Ernest Barz and her great great grandson, Jordan Murphy.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Timothy Christian School or Good Shephard Preschool in memory of Ruth.