Ruth Benell
Ruth Maxine Benell
Ruth Maxine Benell
November 24, 1916 – October 11, 2014
Hedrick, Iowa | Age 97
Ruth Maxine Benell, 97, of Hedrick, died Saturday, October 11, 2014 at the Hospice House in Ottumwa. She was born Friday, November 24, 1916 in Washington, Iowa the daughter of Howard and Clara Lyon Messer.
Ruth graduated from the Washington High School with the class of 1934. Following school, Ruth worked as a secretary in the offices at the calendar factory in Washington for about a year. On June 29, 1935, Ruth was united in marriage to Donald Benell in Kahoka, Missouri and he died May 13, 2010. In 1941 they moved to a farm in the Hedrick area. Following their marriage, Ruth helped Don on the farm and raised her family.
Ruth was a member of the Hedrick-Martinsburg United Methodist Church, Hedrick-Martinsburg United Methodist Women, serving as President for a time, 24 Club, and President of the Garden Club.
She was a very talented drawer and painter. She enjoyed attending the Farm Bureau Women’s Meetings and having parties for the neighborhood children. She and her husband loved taking their grandchildren on weekend camping trips, to see the Grotto at West Bend and the Little Brown Church, and on lots of fishing trips.
Ruth is survived by her son, Gary (& Sharon) Benell of Hedrick; two daughters: Janis Stober of Columbia, Missouri and Maryellen Deutschle of Hedrick; and 91 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two brothers: Lester and Donald Messer; a sister, Edna Dahl; and two great grandsons: Joshua Gatze and Eric Lewis.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. in the Hedrick-Martinsburg United Methodist Church with Reverend Carl Benge officiating. Fremont Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Burial will be in the McCormick Cemetery near Highland Center.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 15, 2014 from 5 – 7 P.M. in the Fremont Funeral Chapel with the family present during that time to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Hedrick-Martinsburg United Methodist Church or Hospice of Wapello County.
