Ruth E. Rice Iseminger

Ruth E. Rice Iseminger passed away Sunday at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines from complications of COPD. She had most recently lived at the Valley View Village Care Center where she enjoyed the many activities with her friends and caregivers. Prior to her move to Valley View, Ruth was active with the East Side Senior Center where she also had many friends and fun activities. Where ever she went and at every point in her life, she enjoyed the people she was with and filled their lives with happiness. She often would say, “If you can’t have fun, why live?” She was still living that belief when, after her last visitor of the evening put away the Aggravation game, and she settled into bed Saturday night.

Ruth Evelyn Porter was born November 2, 1927, to Charlotte Close Porter Chamberlain and Merle Porter in Des Moines, Iowa. Her siblings included Jim, Nelma, Elaine, Lillian, Doris, Betty, Richard (twin) and Gail. On his 18th birthday, she married Vergil E. Rice. She always said, “It was the best birthday present he ever got!” Together they had 11 children and owned and operated the Rice Tire Co. They were married 24 years before his passing. She later married Warren A. Iseminger and they continued to raise her family. They owned and operated Angie’s Italian Bakery and the Park Haven Residential Home. Weekends and holidays were spent at Lake Marie in Mercer, MO. They were together for 24 years before he passed. She was “everyone’s mom.” Besides her own 11 children, she was mother to all their friends and neighbors and was always open and accepting of all.

Survivors include her children, Virginia (Gary) Thompson, Vergil Rice, Jr., Betty (Mike) Stapleton, William (Pam) Rice, Terry (Tom) Catron, Cynthia (Rick) Shepherd, Ruth Anne (Kenny) Williams, David (Nanette) Rice and Rebecca (Les) Walters. She leaves 24 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter who is on the way. Also surviving are sisters, Doris Smith and Betty Stevens, and many, many nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, both husbands, sons, Johnny and Rickie, granddaughter, Angel, and grandsons, Casey and Cole.

Ruth was ornery and her beautiful blue eyes were always lit with the smile that never left her face. She would only wish the same to you.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, September 23, 2011, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, followed by burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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