Ruth Emmett

Ruth was born on May 27, 1921, on the family homestead near Tuttle, North Dakota (Kidder County), and was the daughter of O.E. (Orange) and Florence Richmond Willis. The family returned to Iowa during her early years, and Ruth attended elementary school in Waucoma before moving to Hawkeye and graduating from Hawkeye High School in 1938. She attended Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) from 1938-1942 and graduated with a bachelor's degree in home economics education. She then went on to teach one year in Troy Mills, IA, and two years in Arlington, IA, before accepting a teaching job in Reinbeck. While rooming at the home of Ruth M. Emmett, she met her future husband Tom, and they were united in marriage on July 20, 1949, in Hawkeye, IA. They made their home in Reinbeck, where they welcomed two children into their family.

Ruth was a member of the Reinbeck United Methodist Church, the Reinbeck American Legion Auxiliary, and the PEO sisterhood. She was a Girl Scout leader, served on the Reinbeck Library Board, and was co-chairperson of the committee that produced the history of Reinbeck centennial book in 1976. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends. In addition to being a homemaker, she was the bookkeeper for Tom's service station business. She was one of the last surviving members of the "8 and 8" social club that met monthly for food and fellowship. On her 50th wedding anniversary, she and Tom celebrated with family on a Mississippi River houseboat, and Ruth celebrated her 90th birthday at Westview Estates in 2011. When health began to fail, she moved to Parkview Manor in July 2012.

Ruth is survived by a daughter, Crystal (Joel) Paige of Hubbard Iowa, and a son, Thomas W. Emmett, of Indianapolis, IN; two grandchildren, Lucas (Haley) Paige of Shellsburg, IA, and Amber Paige of Hubbard, IA; and three great grandchildren.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband Thomas Newton Emmett, and sister Lela Kimbrell.