"Tim, Kay, Karen, LeAnn & Denny, I'm so sorry to hear this news. Ruth was such a good friend to Mom and to our family. She was always so welcoming, interested in how we were doing, and always encouraging. I used to enjoy hearing Ruthie and Mom reminisce about growing up in Wesley, and loved that their friendship was lifelong. As a kid, I enjoyed being in her company, and as an adult, I always looked forward to seeing her when I was back home. My deepest sympathies to your entire family. "
In loving memory of
Ruth Brandt
April 12, 1931 - December 21, 2020
A private family funeral Mass for Ruth (McGreevey) Brandt, 89, of Algona will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, December 26, 2020, at St. Cecelias Catholic Church. Burial will be in Saint James Catholic Cemetery in Forest City. The funeral Mass will be live-streamed on the Five Saints Catholic Community YouTube Page. www.youtube.com/user/stceceliaalgona The Burial will be live-streamed on Oakcrest Funeral Services' Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/oakcrestfuneralservices
Ruth Mary Brandt was born April 12, 1931, in rural Wesley, Iowa, the daughter of Leo Alex and Matilda Marie (Arndorfer) Goetz. She grew up in Welsey, graduating from Wesley High School in 1949. After graduating, she attended Hamilton Business School in Mason City, IA.
On December 28, 1953, she was united in marriage to Thomas McGreevey at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley. The couple moved to Leland, IA, where they farmed. In the 1950's they relocated to Spencer Iowa where they were both employed in the newspaper industry. Ruth worked as a secretary for Williams Newspaper Circulation. They later moved to Two Harbors, MN, where Ruth and Tom were part owners of the Two Harbors Chronicle. After Thomas passed on June 26, 1971, Ruth moved back to Algona. She later married Arnold Brandt of Titonka Iowa on November 18, 1989, in Algona.
Ruth enjoyed spending time with her family, playing cards, traveling, and vegetable gardening. She also enjoyed doing puzzles, word searches, and reading. She was a member of the St. Cecelias Catholic Church and a past member of the Catholic Daughters of America.
Ruth died Monday, December 21, 2020, at Kossuth Regional Health Center, Algona. She was 89.
She is survived by her children, Dennis and wife Carol McGreevey of Wesley, IA; LeAnn Vinsand of Humboldt, IA; Kay and husband Joe Courtney of Algona, IA; Karen McGreevey and husband John Graves of Duluth, MN, and Tim and wife Lorie McGreevey of Grandview, IA; 14 grandchildren, and 20 great-children, siblings, Jim (Bonnie) Goetz, Grace (John) DeLander, Pat (Jerry) Judge, Elaine (Glenn) Amber, and Kathy (Ray) Stephens; brother-in-law, Mike Rowan; sister-in-law, Toni Goetz; and many nieces and nephews.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husbands, Thomas McGreevey and Arnold Brandt; her parents, brother, Robert Goetz; sisters Jean Vitzthum, Delores Rowan, Lucille Atencio, and Arlene Goetz; son-in-law Randy Vinsand; and sister-in-law, Barbara Goetz. Online condolences may be left at www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com
Tributes
"My sympathy and prayers to my cousins and their families. Ruth was a very special lady. RIP"
"Denny, LeeAnn, Kay, Karen, and Tim, I am very saddened to hear of your mom passing away. Many memories came to me of growing up in the TH neighborhood, and how your mom and mine liked to be sitting at our kitchen table \"shooting the breeze\". May you all have fond memories to look back upon. A glass is raised to the kindest lady, Ruth McGreevy!"
"I extend thoughts of sympathy to Ruth\'s family. She was the friendly face of the Extension Office in Algona who was always willing to help me, a first-time 4-H leader. I\'ll always remember her smiling face!"
"To all of Ruth?s family & friends I offer my prayers & condolences. There is not enough space here to share all my childhood memories of Ruth & her kindness. I do know she will always walk with you tucked right into your hearts ?while you wait?. I can picture Ruth & Lois right now sitting in the Lords garden with the sun shining on their faces and both of their heads nodding in deep conversation."
"I\'m honored to have known Ruth, she was a fun lady. I\'ve thought of her often since her move. Prayers for all the family at this time.."
"Got to know her from Saturday night mass in St Cecelia?s , as most often we sat in the same pew as she did. Such a pleasant person. "
"sorry to hear of cousin Ruths death, our sympathy goes out to her family\' kay and bernard schrauth"
"So sorry to see this. Ruth was such a sweet lady, have known her for many years! She used to bowl on a team with my mom,Patty Doughan and that was how I first got to know her. She was also a great friend and classmate of my aunt, Nancy Ballard so I saw her a lot then, too. And then her and Arnold were in church together often in Wesley, so always enjoyed visiting with them. We always called her Ruthie, and Arnie, she laughed and said that was a Wesley thing! Will remember her fondly. Sending our sympathy and prayers to all of her family."
"Played cards with Ruth several times! What a fun lady! Sorry for your loss Kay and Joe! She will be missed by many! "