Ruth Benz's Obituary
Ruth (Wakefield) Benz, age 85, of Centerville, Iowa, died Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at Continental at St. Joseph's in Centerville. She was born the daughter of William and Grace (Stargell) Wakefield on October 19, 1927 near Centerville, Iowa. She graduated from Centerville Community High School in 1947.On December 31, 1947, Ruth was united in marriage to Henry Benz in Rock Island, Illinois. In 1949, they moved to the Soap Creek area north of Unionville, Iowa and later would live near Udell, Moravia, Iowa and would spend 18 years west of Moulton, Iowa. After retiring, they purchased an acreage near Numa, Iowa. Ruth enjoyed working outside the home; in the 1960's, she worked for the Elmer Wood Company in Moulton, Iowa; and later would work at St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital in Centerville as an admitting clerk and Insurance Clerk and retiring in 1986. She so enjoyed helping others and would soon begin working for Comfort Keepers in Centerville doing Home Care until 2009. She was a member of the Fairview Church of the Brethren since 1949 where she was a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, sang in the Choir, song leader and Past President of the Women's Fellowship. She had great love for her family, cooking, baking, playing cards and board games. She also enjoyed playing the organ, piano and guitar.Ruth was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Henry Benz on October 15, 1996; brothers, Harold, Ersel, Harry and Bobby Wakefield; sisters, Sarah Hanson, Irene Walker, Marie Lawson, Alice Walker, Lena Clark, Anna Clark and Esther Wakefield.She is survived by: her sons, Terry Benz and his wife, Shelia of Pella, Iowa, Mark Benz and his wife, Elaine of Russellville, Missouri and David Benz and his wife, Lana of Marshalltown, Iowa; a daughter, Shelia Walker and her husband, Darl of Phoenix, Arizona; ten grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren; brothers, Woodrow Wakefield of Davenport, Iowa and Everett Wakefield of the Rock Island, Illinois.Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Monday, April 8, 2013 at the Fairview Church of the Brethren south of Unionville, Iowa with Rev. Carl and Sharon Heien officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 7, 2013 from 1 pm until 8 pm with the family present from 4 pm until 6 pm at the funeral home. Memorials in lieu of flowers can be made to either HCI Care Services (Hospice) or to Fairview Church of the Brethren and can be left or mailed to the funeral home. The To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ruth (Wakefield) Benz please visit our Sympathy Store.
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