Ruth Barber

Ruth Barber, the daughter of Elmer Ellsworth and Carol Josephine (Anderson) Black, was born Feb. 14, 1921, in Mercedes, Texas.

On Sept. 13, 1941, Ruth was united in marriage with Robert Raymond Barber in Colfax, Iowa. Ruth dedicated her life to her husband and family. Following the raising of her children, Ruth worked as a clerk for Younkers for 20 years and for Creative Connection. She was a member of the Newton First United Methodist Church and the Kappa Delta Sorority. Ruth enjoyed quilting, gardening, cross-stitching, baking bread and watching the Chicago Bulls and Iowa Hawkeyes play basketball on TV.

Ruth died Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, at Ramsey Village in Des Moines, Iowa. She was 88 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert, on Feb. 25, 1989; and her sisters, Barbara Hall, Doris McKee and Rachel Triplett.

Those left to honor Ruth’s memory include her daughter, Janet (Terry) Williams of Des Moines, Iowa; her son, David (Ann) Barber of Churchville, N.Y.; her grandchildren, Kristen Cachero, Erik Barber, Marisa Barber, Jennifer Robinson, Matthew Robinson, Ashley Williams and Robbie Williams; her great-grandson, Alexander Cachero; and her brother, Elmer E. Black Jr. of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The family will greet friends following the service for lunch at the Pence-Reese Tribute Center. Memorials may be made to Ramsey Village Alzheimer’s Unit in Des Moines, Iowa.