Ruth Ann Griggs, 93, of Burlington, died Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, Iowa.
Born March 28, 1932, in Burlington, Iowa, she was the daughter of A. Leroy and Ruth Magnuson.
She was united in marriage to Robert Hanger on January 26, 1951, at Messiah Lutheran Church. Together they shared 37 years of marriage until his passing on February 9, 1988. She later found love and companionship again with Duane Griggs, whom she married on March 10, 1990. Duane preceded her in death on May 27, 2012.
Ruth Ann was a dedicated musician who taught piano for many years and played the organ for over five decades. Her church service included roles as organist and choir director at First Presbyterian, where she also kept books, as well as serving as the organist for Messiah Lutheran.
She was a graduate of Burlington High School and attended Augustana College.
Ruth Ann was a devoted lifelong member of Messiah Lutheran Church, dedicating her time to organizations such as Treble Clef, Bel Canto, and PEO Chapters HU and EV. A passionate supporter of education, she volunteered at New London Elementary, where she cherished reading to children and was honored with the Friends of Education Award. Throughout her life she also gave her time to local hospitals and historical societies.
Ruth Ann loved traveling and canoeing, meticulously journaling her journeys. She enjoyed hobbies such as knitting, quilting, playing cards with friends, and more recently, solving jigsaw puzzles. Above all, her life was defined by her devotion to family, music, and her church. She deeply cherished the time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her three children; Daniel (Sherri) Hanger of Woodbury, Minnesota, Joel (Chris) Hanger of Burlington and Julie (Mike) Crane of Winterset, Iowa. She is also survived by her step-daughter Cheryl (Joe) Bonebrake of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; grandchildren, Melissa (Bob) Mench, Jeffrey (Nicole) Hanger, Nicholas (Casey) Hanger, Alixandria (Kaleb) Moser, Lucas (Maggie) Crane, Zachary Crane and Alec (Anna) Crane; step grandchildren, Matthew (Lynn) Rockshold, Jeffrey (Grace) Rockshold, Brian Bonebrake and Anne Bonebrake and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Robert Hanger and Duane Griggs, one brother Arthur Leroy Magnuson and a special sister-in-law Pauline Miller.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Messiah Lutheran Church, where the family will receive friends. The memorial funeral service for Ruth Ann will begin at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Damisha McFarland-Pollock will officiate. Burial will follow in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for Messiah Lutheran Church in memory of Ruth Ann Griggs.
According to her wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.