Ruth Allene Palmer was born Dec. 17, 1930, in Farson, Iowa the daughter of Everett and Beulah (McFarling) Sterling. Ruth started school in Farson and later moved to Fremont, lowa, where she graduated from Fremont Schools as the valedictorian of her class. She was a very good student and loved to study and read. She never received any grade lower than an A.
Ruth received a college scholarship to Ottumwa Heights and was able to teach elementary school with a limited elementary certificate. She completed one full year and one summer of college and taught at Eddyville Elementary School, Ruth continued taking college credit classes at Simpson College and graduated with her BA degree from William Penn in Oskaloosa, lowa. She also taught elementary school at Exira and retired from the Keota Elementary School where she taught 4th grade for many years.
She was united in marriage to James Terry Palmer on Aug. 14, 1971, in Sigourney. She was very good about remembering birthdays and special occasions with cards and presents.
After retirement she enjoyed reading a variety of books, completing the daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper and completed many word search books. She was an officer and member of Wellman Heritage Society, Wellman Senior Center, and Asbury United Methodist Church.
She had several Dachshunds over her lifetime that she loved. Her last dog was a Jack Russell Terrier, named Joe.
Ruth passed away Saturday, October 28, 2023, at Atrium Village Nursing Home in Hills at the age of 92 years old.
Ruth is survived by two stepsons: John (Becky) Palmer of Keota and James (Donna) Palmer of Wellman; a step-daughter: Catherine (Alan) Wertjes of Olympia, Washington; two sisters: Donna Glick of Ottumwa and Cleo Aldridge of Colorado; two nephews: Mark (Jane) Glick and David (Lori) Glick both of Hedrick; seven grandchildren: Katie (Austin) Reuman, Shelly (Tyler Laing) Palmer, Lindsey (Cody) Graber, Ross (Britt) Wertjes, Will Wertjes, Nate (Gloria) Wertjes and Olivia Wertjes; and two sisters-in-law: Mary Lou Crossett of Fountain Valley, California and Brenda (Bob) Gluth of Highland, Michigan.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Terry; and a brother-in-law: Fred Aldridge.
A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at Asbury United Methodist Church in Wellman. Visitation will be Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the Powell Funeral Home in Wellman. Burial will be in the Wellman Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Wellman Library, Wellman Heritage Society or Washington County Hospice. Messages and tributes may be directed to www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
