Ruth Darlene Stratton, 95, of West Burlington, died Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, at her home.
Born March 12, 1928, in Aurora, Neb., she was the daughter of Walter Ira and Rosa Mae Grolze Leymaster. She married Sidney Stratton on June 30, 1951. He preceded her in death on Sept. 13, 2017.
Ruth began her working career as a telephone operator and then for Sylvania and I.A.A.P. She spent her later years helping her husband at their paint and wallpaper store.
She loved taking walks and was an avid reader, with her morning routine beginning with reading her Bible and a cup of coffee. Ruth was an excellent cook and loved cooking for holidays. She enjoyed watching Hallmark movies, completing find-a-word puzzles, bird watching and traveling with her daughters and grandchildren.
She is survived by her three daughters; Kathleen (Michael C.) Hoschek of West Burlington and Linda (Joel) Mason and Joanie (Jon) Snow both of Clear Lake; nine grandchildren; Heidi (Derek) Boyd, Amy Blume, Jeremy (Carrie) Lohmann, Jesse (Erika) Mason, Jennifer (Michael) Pope, Zachary (Rehema) Snow, Olivia Snow, Jon (Miquela) Snow and Joshua (Amber) Snow; 23 great grandchildren; Justin (Cass) Boyd, Austin Boyd, Sydney (Landon) Bowman, Paige Lohmann, Mackenzie Lohmann, Natalee Lohmann, Brevin Lohmann, Jackson Rose Mason, Laila Pope, Kameron Pope, Jemma Pope, Jonathan Snow, Josiah Snow, Alex Snow, Andrew Snow, Isaiah Snow, Jonah Snow, Judah Snow, Madelyn Snow, James Snow, Amelia Snow, Aliza Snow and Quinn Snow and four great-great grandchildren, Paislee Bowman, Noah Bowman, Weston Martzhan and Trytan Dobbs.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Marjorie and three sisters, Doris Johnson, Helen Youngerman and Jean Nash.
Friends may call after noon until 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 at Lunning Chapel. Visitation with family present will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at Lunning Chapel. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday. The Rev. Dean Graber will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
Memorials have been established for the Burlington Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund or the City Hope Food Pantry.