"The greatest of these teach"
In loving memory of
Ruth Stephens
February 17, 1916 - May 3, 2021
A funeral service for Ruth will be held at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at Oakcrest Funeral Services of Algona. Visitation will be held from 2 to 2:30 on Wednesday. Burial will in Riverview Cemetery in Algona. The funeral and graveside will be live-streamed on Oakcrest Funeral Services' Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/oakcrestfuneralservices In lieu of flowers, memorials can be direct to the Good Samaritan Society of Algona in Ruth's name.
Ruth Arlene Stephens was born February 17, 1916, on a farm near Algona to Chester and Maude (Rickabaugh) Robinson. Ruth graduated from Algona High School with a Normal Teaching Certificate in 1934, after which she taught in nearby one-room country schools for several years.
In 1937, Ruth was united in marriage to Keith Stephens in Humboldt, and they enjoyed just over 75 years of marriage together. After 17 years of farming near Algona, the couple left the farm with their family, and Ruth attended Emmetsburg Junior College where she earned a teaching certificate, and in 1962, a bachelor's degree in elementary education with honors from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake. Ruth taught fourth grade for over 20 years. First in Plover, then in Ayrshire.
Ruth enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed traveling, camping, reading, and the occasional fishing trip to Canada with friends. Ruth was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church in Algona, where she taught Sunday School well into her 90's. She loved teaching, and by all accounts, she was good at it. Most importantly, Ruth was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Ruth became a resident of Good Samaritan Society of Algona in April of 2011. She died there on Monday, May 3, 2021, at the age of 105.
She is survived by her children, J. Lance (Linda) Stephens of Marshalltown, Loren (Renee) Stephens of Slater, Kathleen Majeski of Papillion, NE; four grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Preceding her in death are her husband Keith; parents; daughter, Sue; son-in-law, Mike; and sisters, Mildred and Verla.
Ruth was loved by the staff of Good Samaritan and it showed in the wonderful care she received over the years, for which the family will always be grateful.
Tributes
"Ruth was a wonderful lady inside and out. When Ruth and Keith lived in Ayrshire thay lived only 2 blocks from our home. Got to know them really well. Rest in peace Ruth. She is a special Angel in heaven now. My sympathy to the family."
"My fourth grade teacher at Ayrshire, what a lovely lady. I was able to reconnect with her several years ago at a dental office where I worked. She still remembered me and seemed as sharp as ever. . My sympathies to her family"
"Beautiful lady inside and out. A wonderful example for all who knew her. "