Ruth Marie Umbarger

Ruth Marie Umbarger, 92, of Mason City, died Monday, October 24, 2016 at the Good Shepherd Health Center. Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Friday, October 28, 2016 at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Ave, with Pastor Paul Schaefer, Plymouth Bible Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11 AM to 1 PM Friday at the funeral home.

Ruth Marie (Janssen) Umbarger was born in Mason City, Iowa, July 29, 1924, the daughter of John and Marie I. (Stanfield) Janssen. She graduated from Mason City High School, Mason City Junior College, and the University of Minnesota. She taught high school American and World History in Forest City, Iowa and also worked at Mercy Hospital and John Adams Junior High.

Ruth was united in marriage to R. Duane Umbarger at First Presbyterian Church on May 18, 1952. Together they raised three daughters, Anne, Janet and Jean.

Ruth and Duane researched and published two books together: “Remember When ... Mason City: A Historical Album” in 1985 and “Memories of Old Cerro Gordo - 1850-1890” in 1990.

Ruth and Duane also shared an interest in genealogy; Ruth was an officer of the North Central Iowa Genealogical Society, volunteered in the genealogy room at the Mason City Public Library, and was editor of the Genie Bug newsletter for many years.

Ruth was a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church, Mason City, Iowa where she served as both an Elder and Deacon. She served as church archivist, creating the 75th Anniversary History, 1905 – 1980 and Bridging the Centuries with Faith and Hope 1905 – 2005. Ruth also served as president of Church Women United and United Presbyterian Women.

Ruth was a girl scout leader, a docent at the Meredith Willson Home, a volunteer at Music Man Square and, along with Duane, volunteered at Kinney Pioneer Museum.

Ruth is survived by her daughters, Anne M. (David) VerHelst, Janet L. (Paul) Schaefer (all of Mason City, Iowa) and Jean M. (Michael) Gettis (of Lakeville, Minnesota) as well as four grandchildren, Matt J. VerHelst, Mason City, Iowa, Daniel R. (Stephanie) Schaefer, North Liberty, Iowa, Andrew D. Gettis, Northfield, Minnesota (girlfriend Alicia Thuis of Eagan, Minnesota), and Amy L. (Ross) Eiden, Forest City, Iowa. She cherished two great grand-daughters, Olivia Schaefer and Keira Eiden.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Duane, her parents John and Marie Janssen, her father-in-law Frank Umbarger, her mothers-in-law Esther Umbarger and Burdette Umbarger, and her brother-in-law, J. Robert (Donna) Umbarger.