Ruth C. Smith

MASON CITY: Ruth C. Smith, 103, of Mason City, went to be with her Lord on Monday, August 17, 2015 at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1405 S. Pennsylvania Avenue with Rev. Steve Hansen officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue and continue at the church Friday one hour before services. Memorials may be directed to Wesley United Methodist Church, Multiple Sclerosis Society or the American Cancer Society.
Ruth Christena (Broers) Smith was born July 22, 1912 in Bath Township, Cerro Gordo County, the daughter of Bardelt J. and Emilie (Neiss) Broers. Her brothers were Emil and Raymond. Ruth attended rural school through 8th grade and graduated from Mason City High School in 1929. She attended Mason City Junior College to become a teacher. Ruth taught in Cerro Gordo County before her marriage to Frank R. Smith February 27, 1932 in Mason City. Two daughters joined their family, Marlene and Marilyn. Frank and Ruth were active in the Rockwell Methodist Church, Farm Bureau, Rockwell Elevator and square dancing. Ruth found driving a tractor very satisfying and helped Frank with the farming. Ruth grew a productive vegetable and flower garden, was an exceptional cook and enjoyed crocheting. She taught Sunday school while their daughters were young. Ruth was a “grandma on the go” while driving her car taking relatives and friends to where they needed to be. After 40 years of farming, Frank and Ruth had a farm sale and moved to Mason City in 1973. For a few years, Ruth picked and sold strawberries at Furleigh Farms. Frank and Ruth joined Wesley United Methodist Church where Ruth was active in church circles serving as circle chair-woman. Ruth was also active in the Mason City Women’s Club and Bath Farm Women’s Club. Frank and Ruth enjoyed 55 years together before Frank’s death in 1987. Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great-grandmother who loved having family get-togethers and being with her friends. Ruth resided at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home where she received care with kindness and dignity.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Marilyn (Al) Schwanke of Albuquerque, New Mexico; son-in-law, Paul (Jeanette) Pruin of Rockwell; 5 grandchildren, Doug (Tammy) Pruin, Barb (Bill) Moorehead, Leigh Ann (John) Sheahan, Pam (Jim) Hardee and Cristy Volk; 14 great grandchildren; 18 great great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Frank in 1987 and daughter, Marlene Pruin in 2003