12/16/2003
Ruth Arminta (Ridlen) Williams was born the third of four children born to Clarence L. Ridlen & Nellie Robuck.
She was united in marriage to Harold D. Williams on February 6, 1932, in Rock Island, Illinois. To this union, three known children were born: Phyllis
Joan (Williams) Hoch, Phillip Ardean Williams, & Elizabeth Ruth “Betty” (Williams) Hancock.
Ruth worked for several years at the Continental Overall Factory. In 1957
she began working for Continental Western Insurance in Des Moines where she worked
for 17 years. She was very active in her community. She organized and was the leader
of the Dallas Go-Getter and Franklin Friends 4-H clubs.
She taught Sunday school in the Christian Women’s Fellowship, Marion County Farm Bureau, Community Garden Club, and the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
Last few years Ruth stayed active by riding horses, four-wheelers, and motorcycles.
She enjoyed hand quilting, embroidering bedspreads for her children, and crocheting afghans for all
her grandchildren. She was an avid cook and baker known best for her noodles, pies, and bread.
She answered the summons to the spirit world at the age of 91y, 3m, 24d,
from the Griffin Nursing Center, where she had been a resident.
A Celebration of Life was held Saturday, Dec. 20, 2003, from the Williams Funeral Home, in Knoxville, the Pastor John Claussen officiating at the services, followed by internment next to her husband of 63 years.
Father: Clarence L. Ridlen (1880 – 1959)
Mother: Nellie Robuck Ridlen (1880 – 1916)
Spouse: Harold D. Williams (1906 – 1995)
Burial: Graceland Cemetery Knoxville Marion County Iowa