Ruth I. Foster Part 2
November 29, 2010
(Continued from Ruth Foster Part 1)
Ruth was up for just about any adventure which was always about education, if not for her, for someone else. Ever-young at heart, at age 79, she went white-water rafting. Ruth was a world traveler who brought back with her a token of each trip; notably one such token was a chip she carved out of the Berlin Wall to commemorate the victory over oppression. She could clearly and enthusiastically recount every trip and encounter.
Ruth is survived by her brother, Dean (Verlene) Archer of Orient, IA; sister, Dorothy Johnson of Glenwood, IA; The Girls, Alexis (Lexi) and Mercedes (Sadie); the Girls’ dad and mom, Randall and Dawn Archer; niece, Angela Wortman and daughters Atalie and Adria; nephew, Stanley (Vickie) Archer and daughter Amanda (Todd); niece, Gloria (Neil) Ernst and daughters Lacey (Adam) and Jessie (Andrew); nephew, Robert (Rita) Johnson and daughter Becky, sons Ben (Katie) and Blake; niece, Patricia Endres and daughters Tammy (Don) and Tina (Lyle); many great nephews and great nieces, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband David Foster, parents Clyde and Rachel Archer, and brother-in-law, Kenneth Johnson.
Ruth’s family extends their heart-felt gratitude to the staff of the 56th Street Kavanagh House. Special thanks to Karen Sieren, hospice nurse and dear family friend.
Ruth enriched the lives of everyone she met, sharing her kindness, passion, and joy for life. She helped create the futures of countless American school children - we have lost an icon of American Education. If Ruth had a personal vision statement it would have focused on the noble profession of education and the power to transform lives, and improve our changing world. We love you and miss you dearly Aunt Ruth.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, December 2, 2010, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 Southwest 9th Street, Des Moines. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 3, 2010, at the funeral home with burial to follow at Avondale Cemetery, Adair County, Iowa.
Memorial contributions in memory of Ruth Foster can be sent to the Ruth Foster Memorial Fund, 11111 University Ave, Clive, Iowa 50325.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Peggy (Hansen) Brighton
12/02/2010
I am so very sorry for your loss. I had Mrs Foster in kindergarten through second grade when she taught at Pleasant Hill's three room school house. The town wasn't even a city yet! I have never, ever forgotten her. She inspired me to become a teacher. I know it was because of her teachings, and not just the education that comes from books, that I have good common sense and values. I am truly thankful for having had Mrs. Foster in my life. And I am sure I am just one of thousands who feel that way. Thank you for being her family and for sharing her with us.
richard dell
12/02/2010
ruthie will be missed very neat lady
Dawn Pentico/Danica Moren
12/01/2010
Sadie, Lexi, Randy & Dawn~
We are so sorry for your loss. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. You are in our thoughts and prayers, as we know how much you all loved Ruthie.
Hugs,
Dawn & Danica
Janet Hagen Bartelt
12/01/2010
Both Ruth and Dave will always hold a special place in my heart and my memories from young adult to the last time she and I spent time visiting at the beauty shopjust a few weeks ago.
Ruth and Dave were sponsers for the CYF group at our church and as a teen their influence on my life was most memorable. In later life they were my friends and Ruth was a great influence on our son's life too. The two of them shopped for a TV for the church and Mark remembers their conversation on "tough love" one of those things a young man might not fully understand. Ruth was proud of Mark's accomplishments and asked often about him. She attended his wedding reception when we had it here in Des Moines which pleased him.
Helen arranged for some of Mark's Sunday School teachers to greet him on a visit to Des Moines. This little stunt was a fun time in which they (Ruth came back into the shop to participate in) were to approve of Amy before they were married. Amy was approved of by the "church folks" and we all had a good time.
Both Ruth and Dave will be fondly remembered by our whole family.
With our love and deepest sympathy,
Jan Bartelt