Ruth Wilkening

Ruth M. Wilkening, 87, of Marshalltown, died June 19, 2009, at MMSC. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Burial will be in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be on Tuesday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to 1st Presbyterian Church in Albion Elevator Fund. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been caring for Ruth and her family. Ph 641-844-1234. Ruth Mahala Belt was born on November 4, 1921, in New Providence, Iowa. She was the daughter of James William and Ludah Ann (Thomas) Belt. She attended school in New Providence, Van Cleve, and Marshalltown. Ruth had been previously married to William McCandless and John Holmquist. On January 23, 1965, she married Harold Wilkening in Aledo, Illinois. The couple lived in the Albion and Marshalltown area until moving to Grandview Heights. Ruth had a diverse working career, including owning a restaurant, working at Fisher Controls, and as a nurses aide at the Iowa Veterans Home. She was a member of the Rural Womens Chorus of Marshall County, Rebekah Lodge, Mothers Club, Square Dance Club, 1st Presbyterian Church in Albion, and was the Emcee of the Senior Citizens Band. She enjoyed dancing, playing cards, traveling, fishing, camping, raising animals and flowers, going to flea markets, playing Bingo, and visiting family and friends. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Sandra Sunny (Dan) Bryant of Albion; three granddaughters, Danielle Dilks of Altoona, Debbie Bryant of Albion, and Julie Danner of Altoona; and her step-children, Larry(Mary) Wilkening, James(Ellen) Wilkening, Janet Meininger, Richard(Kathy) Wilkening, and Craig(Pam) Wilkening. She was blessed with a family of many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. In death, she has rejoined her husband, Harold Wilkening, who died in May of 2007; her former husbands William McCandless and John Holmquist; her step-daughter, Shirley DeFrance; and her six siblings, Eva Cox, George Belt, Lenora Hasch, Fern Doud, Charles Belt, and Mabel Holton.