Obituaries : Ruth E. Mehlert

Ruth E. Mehlert

MT. AUBURN – Ruth E. Mehlert, 85, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at the Vinton Lutheran Home Assisted Living Center.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 16, 2015, at the Mt. Auburn United Methodist Church with Pastor Mike Ferguson officiating. Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton. Interment will be in the Mt. Auburn Cemetery.

Ruth was born June 12, 1929, in Harlan, Iowa, the daughter of Grant B. and Lotus M. Plumb Poole. She graduated from Franklin High School in Cedar Rapids and attended college at Shimer College in Mt. Carroll, IL, and Hamilton Business College in Cedar Rapids.

On March 8, 1952, Ruth was united in marriage with Delbert Mehlert in Cedar Rapids. The couple lived and farmed in the Mt. Auburn area during their marriage. He preceded her in death on April 27, 1996.

She was an active member of the Mt. Auburn United Methodist Church, where she had been a member for 63 years. She taught Sunday school and held several church offices. She was also active in United Methodist Women.

Ruth also participated in Modern Entertainers Club, Cedar #5 Club and volunteered at Virginia Gay Hospital as a member of the Auxiliary. She enjoyed painting, gardening, reading and baking cookies. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her grandchildren. She was known as a caretaker and greatly enjoyed caring for others.

Ruth is survived by two sons: Bruce (Jodi) Mehlert of Mt. Auburn and Larry (Debra) Mehlert of La Porte City; one daughter: Brenda (Kevin) Boddicker of Luana; daughter-in-law Paula Mehlert of Van Horne; sister Ione Murdock of Hiawatha; 13 grandchildren: Barry, Chad, Allan, Pat, Bret and Bart Mehlert, Kody McClain, Mitch and Jeff Boddicker, Tracie Bengston, Moriah Schild, Becky Schmitz and Brooke Daws; and 28 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Tim Mehlert; great-great-granddaughter Grace; and three brothers-in-law, Wilbert and Duane Mehlert and Carl Murdock.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be directed to the Mt. Auburn United Methodist Church in order to make the church handicap accessible. Memorials may be sent to the Ruth Mehlert Family c/o Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home, 1212 1st Ave., Vinton, IA 52349.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for Ruth and her family. Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.