Ruth Hitz
February 28, 2013
Ruth I. Hitz, (89) of Crosslake, Minnesota, died on Thursday, February 28, at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, MN. Ruth was born on June 29, 1923, to Dan and Golda (Miller) Kirkman in Polk City, Iowa.
Ruth married William (Bill) Hitz on June 5, 1943, and they raised 3 daughters, Barbara (Lowe), Crosslake; Janice (Johnson), Ramsey, MN; and Joyce Hitz, West Des Moines. Together they operated the Rosebud Dairy Farm.
Ruth and Bill left the farm in 1964 and moved to Des Moines. Bill was Secretary of the International Motor Contest Association and Ruth was his office assistant. They traveled to state fairs in Florida, Louisiana, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota. She also worked in the Iowa State Fair Treasurer’s Office and for Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
In 1975, Ruth and Bill moved to Pelican Lake in Nisswa, MN, where they lived for 31 years. They made their final move to Crosslake in 2006. Ruth has been an active member of Chapter DV P.E.O. since 1980.
In addition to her three daughters, Ruth leaves behind a sister, Lois Burt, of Urbandale, Ia, two sons-in-law, Terry Lowe of Crosslake and Larry Johnson of Ramsey, MN, grandsons Brian Atkinson (Nikki) and Doug Johnson (Amy); granddaughters Shelly Somrock (Barry), Shannon Pietzsch (Chad), Heather Eisenmenger (Dave) and Tammi Atkinson (Al Gorman); and 13 great-grandchildren.
Her husband, Bill, and parents preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 4, at 12:00 p.m., at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens in Des Moines, Iowa. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Chapter DV P.E.O.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Jann Bowersox
03/04/2013
Barb, Jan, Joyce, and Lois:
I was so sorry to hear about your Mom's passing. She was a great lady. I have fond memories of Bill and Ruth every time I go by the old farm.
You will see both of them again.
Ike and Vicki Moeckly
03/03/2013
We are so sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy to your family at this time.
Dave Laverty
03/03/2013
I have many fond memories of Ruth and Bill, beginning on the farm, then in DsM, and finally in northern MN. Cows, corn, cars, and boats. Your parents were good friends forever.