Ruth Nolting

Ruth A. Nolting of Waukon, IA, passed away peacefully just short of her 99 ^th birthday at 5:25 PM Monday afternoon, January 30, 2017, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 4th, at 1:00 PM at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Pastor Samantha Houser officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 11:00 AM until the time of services Saturday at the church. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Iowa Special Olympics or Camp Courageous.

Ruth Althea Nolting was born on a farm near Baxter, IA, on March 2, 1918, to Benjamin and Elizabeth Sophie (Stock) Hansmeier; they moved to the Waukon, IA area when she was about seven years old. Ruth was christened on May 26, 1918, in Baxter and confirmed at Zion Reformed Church (now Zion United Church of Christ) in Waukon on March 20, 1932. Her mother passed away when Ruth was 15. Despite having to drop out of school to take care of her four siblings, she continued her studies and was known for her organizational skills and penmanship while working with her husband in his law practice.

Ruth and Martin Nolting were married June 22, 1938, at her parents' home in Waukon and the following year they moved into the home she had lived in for 78 years on 5 ^th Avenue in Waukon. Getting back to their farming roots, they had a large garden and various animals at their house over the years including chickens and rabbits.

She was active in the church and enjoyed quilting, sewing, traveling, and fishing with family. An avid sports fan, she followed her children's and grandchildren's activities and also followed all the Iowa college sports. She also enjoyed visiting with her many friends. One of the highlights of her adventurous life was her trip to Europe with her sister Leona, especially to Germany when she found her ancestors' home and visited their church.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother Meta Renne Hansmeier; her husband Martin; daughter-in-law Doreen; brothers: Marvin "Dick", Harvey "Shorty", and Ralph Hansmeier; and her sisters- and brother-in-law.

She is survived by her sister Leona Bell of Plano, TX; and Ruth's six children. Son Milt (Ruth) of Spirit Lake, IA, and their two children Tim and Heidi. Tim (Monique) live in Beaverton, OR, with their children: Gianna, August, and Camella; Heidi (Kenny) Brittain are of Spirit Lake and their children:  Lianna, Trever, and Aliyah.

Daughter Elizabeth (Dale) Livingood of Oelwein, IA, and their children Allen and Todd. Allen (Kathryn) live in Falmouth, ME, with their children Ethan and Nate. Todd (Carmen) live in Kasson, MN, with their three children: Heather, Joe, and Josh.

Son Chuck (Suzanne) of Bettendorf, IA, and their children: Jon, Jeff, and David. Jon (Amy) live in Palatine, IL, with their children Sara and Sean. Jeff (Tara) live in Des Moines, IA, with their daughters Clare and Emilia. David lives in Bettendorf.

Son Larry lives in Cedar Rapids, IA; his wife Doreen passed away in 2013. Their daughter Kim (Mitch) Johnk live in Panora, IA, and have three children: Karlee and Morgan, both at home, and Austin (McKayla) live in Grimes, IA.

Son Roger (Brenda) live in Davenport, IA, with their two daughters Stephanie and Beth.

Daughter Nancy (Steve) Evans of Arvada, CO, and their children Sara and Ben. Sara lives in Las Vegas, NV, and Ben (Chrissy) live in Boise, ID.

Honorary casketbearers are Heidi Brittain, Sara Evans, Kim Johnk, and Beth and Stephanie Nolting. Casketbearers are Tim Nolting, Jon, Jeff, and David Nolting, Allen and Todd Livingood, Ben Evans, and Austin Johnk.