Obituary of Ruth Peters

Ruth Carolyn Peters, the daughter of Emil and Lydia (Schumann) Vogel, was born on May 3, 1930, in Rock Rapids, IA. Ruth was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. She graduated from Rock Rapids High School in 1948. She received her nursing diploma from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Sioux City. Ruth was joined in marriage to Lester Peters of Hartley on October 14, 1951 where they farmed north of Hartley and raised their six children: Gregory, Bradley, Perry, Timothy, Lindsey and Ann. Ruth and Les were long-time members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where she was an active member of the Ladies Aid and Lutheran Women Missionary League. As parents they attended countless musical and sporting activities of their children. They shared a mutual interest in refinishing antiques and playing cards with friends. Ruth also enjoyed ceramics, caning chairs and braiding rugs. When Les passed away in 1986, Ruth began traveling to see her children and their families. All the grandchildren have fond memories of Grandma Ruth arriving armed with Pringles cans of delicious homemade cookies and Mason jars filled with her infamous rhubarb sauce. They also took delight in helping grandma tackle her “bucket list”. Among her adventures was flying in a hot air balloon, riding mules to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, attending the Daytona 500, traveling to Germany and Hawaii, and cruising off the coast of Alaska and California. Ruth passed away at the age of 83 in Sioux Falls where she had resided for the past three years. She is survived by her children Bradley (Sheri) of Rochester, MN; Perry (Maradell) of Phoenix, AZ; Timothy (Kay) Eden Prairie, MN; Lindsey (Brenda) of Palm Harbor, FL; and Ann (Stephan Kulzer) of Sioux Falls, SD. Ruth had a total of 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Her siblings were Gladys Vogel of Rock Rapids, Arnold (Alice) Vogel of Rock Rapids and Harvey (Mary Jo) Vogel of Colton, SD along with in-laws Marlys Peters of Milford and Milo (Claris) Peters of Hartley. Besides losing Les, the losses of her son, Gregory in 2000 and son-in-law, Wade Olson in 1994, were difficult for her. Others that preceded Ruth in death were her parents, brother-in-law Glen Peters and Les’ parents, Edward and Helen Peters. Ruth loved her Bible and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is such a blessing to know she now lives in her heavenly home filled with eternal peace and everlasting joy.