Ruth "Dolly" King

Ruth “Dolly” King left this earthly world on May 11, 2024, at the age of 92. She arrived March 31, 1932, to parents Oral and Ruby Slater. She was the sixth of seven to join the family. Ralph, Lois, Lyle, twins Ray and Roy, and later Charles. Charles survives her. Her family thought she looked like a little doll, and she became “Dolly” to her family the rest of her life.

Her father died when she was five and the family moved to Stanley, Iowa to be closer to aunts, uncles, and cousins. This was the village that helped raise her and her siblings. Despite living in poverty, she often said her formative years in Stanley were the most memorable.  

Ruth graduated from East Waterloo High School in 1950. A friend set her up on a blind date with a handsome guy named John “Jack” King. They were married in 1951.

Jack finished his college degree in education, and they found their way to Mason City, Iowa. They lived the rest of their married life at 1315 7^th SE where they raised their three children.

Ruth began a part time switchboard operator position at Sear’s when her kids became more independent. She could be reached at all times by her kids while at work to answer important questions like “can we make popcorn?”. She became personnel manager at Sear’s and retired after twenty years. She made many long-lasting friendships while working there.

She loved to entertain, decorate for the seasons, bake, cook, try new recipes, and made her own cookbook for family and friends. She was a competitive bridge player and belonged to several bridge groups. Spring was her favorite season, and she loved the smell of lilacs. She hated her wire rimmed glasses in her teenage years, her “Slater” nose that passed down through generations, and the smell of grape bubble gum.

She moved to Good Shepherd Health Center in November of 2022, due to her diminishing vision from macular degeneration, along with fragility of age. She was lucky to have the best roommate, Sherrie Eppens, who became her sight, helper, and friend.

Many friends and family members have gone before her. She was preceded in death by her husband, first born child who died in infancy, Bobby; and her grandsons, Damon Cory and Garrett Havnen.

She is survived by her children, Billie Cory, Laurie (Jay) Thomas, and Steve J. King; grandsons, Ben (Lisa) Cory, Marcus (Keara) Thomas; six great grandchildren and many cousins, nieces, and nephews, who know her has “Dolly”, Leann (King) Hughes (Dan); her closest living friends, Angie, Sally, Mary, and Cindy, who stayed close to her in the end,

We are all stories in the end.

A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held on Sunday, May 26, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Moose Lodge, 22 4th St NW. Memorials may be directed to the family of Ruth King.