Ruth I. Foster Part 2

(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

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