Ruth Whitehead
Ruth Whitehead
July 1, 1920 – January 10, 2011
Ruth Whitehead, 90 of New Sharon passed away Monday, January 10, 2011 at the Hospice Serenity House of Mahaska County. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Thursday, January 13, 2011 at the New Sharon First Christian Church with Pastor Phil DeBoef officiating. Visitation will begin after 12:00 pm Wednesday, January 12, 2011 with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the funeral home. Interment will be held in the Friends Cemetery in New Sharon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the New Sharon First Christian Church.
Wanda Ruth Whitehead, daughter of Albert and Hester (Miller) Leatherman was born on July 1, 1920 near Barnes City. She attended Stewart Country School before graduating from New Sharon High School. Ruth was married to Marvin Whitehead in a double wedding ceremony with Forrest and Florence Zimmerman in Lancaster, Missouri in 1939. To this union two children were born, Gary and Marcia. Marvin and Ruth farmed in the New Sharon area before moving into New Sharon in 1957. Ruth worked as a waitress in Jean’s Café in New Sharon for many years. She moved to Prairie Home apartments in 1986. Ruth was a charter member of the former Sew and So Club. She was a noble grand of the New Sharon Rebekah Lodge and was the treasurer for Stewart Cemetery for over 30 years. She was a former member of the Prairie Knolls Country Club and Vantastics Kitchen Band. Ruth was a member the New Sharon Christian Church and a member of the Loyal Daughters Women’s group. She served on the Seneca Board for several years. Ruth enjoyed camping, playing cards, Bible study and spending time with her family and friends.
She is survived by her son, Gary Whitehead of New Sharon; three grandchildren, Douglas (Stephanie) Dieleman of Murray, Kentucky, Deanne (Rob) Gibson of Grinnell and Melanie (Chris) Donohue of Marion, Iowa; seven great grandchildren, Leah, Lauren, Blake, Brady, Allie, Brett and Drew; and her son-in-law, Ed Dieleman of Oskaloosa.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Hettie Leatherman; her husband, Marvin Whitehead on December 10, 1983; her daughter, Marcia Dieleman on April 3, 2009; three brothers, Earl Leatherman, Dale Leatherman and an infant brother Floyd Leatherman and a sister, Vera Wymore Ringgenberg.
