Ruth Cater
July 16, 2012
Ruth Cater, 89, passed away of congestive heart failure Monday, July 16, 2012, at the Altoona Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, where she had been a resident since March of 2012.
Ruth was born May 23, 1923, in Tabor City, North Carolina, to Walter and Ora Stroud. She had lived in the Des Moines area since 1956. Ruth had worked for the Des Moines Public Schools as a cook and retired from Iowa Lutheran Hospital in 1981, where she had been a cook for eight years. She was a member of Sheridan Park United Methodist Church and Esther’s Circle. Ruth loved to cook, sew, and spend time with her grandchildren. She had a green thumb for growing African violets; she could even grow them in the winter. She also enjoyed shopping and traveling.
Ruth is survived by her children, William (Jayne) Cater, Jr., Earl (Erma) Cater, Gwen (Mark) Speck, Shirley (Richard) Coffman, and Linda Nelson; brother, Thomas (Arlene) Stroud; sister, Thelma (Julius) Hewitt; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Cater, Sr., children, Candace Houston and Roy Cater, and her brothers, Floyd and Bruce Stroud.
Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m., Friday, July 20, 2012, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, followed by burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Janis Haines (Summy)
07/20/2012
we will always remember fun times, many years as neighbors and friends. Our prayers are with all of you.
Carolyn Hewitt, Billy Hewitt, Phillip Hewitt
07/19/2012
Praying for all of you as you process your loss of your mother. My her love for you all sustain you through these difficult times.We are so thankful we were able to spend time with Aunt Ruth on her last visit south. Our heartfelt condolences to you all.
Terri Kane
07/19/2012
Gwen and Mark and family, I was so sorry to read about your mom's passing. I always remember her as a sweet lady. You are in our thoughts and prayers.