Ruth (Wakefield) Benz passed away at the age of 85 at St. Joseph's in Centerville, Iowa.
She was born the daughter of William and Grace (Stargell) Wakefield on Oct. 19, 1927 near Centerville. She graduated from Centerville Community High School in 1947.
On Dec. 31, 1947, Ruth was united in marriage to Henry Benz in Rock Island, Ill. In 1949, they moved to the Soap Creek area north of Unionville, Iowa and later would live near Udell and Moravia and would spend 18 years west of Moulton. After retiring, they purchased an acreage near Numa.
Ruth enjoyed working outside the home; in the 1960s, she worked for the Elmer Wood Company in Moulton; 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 Oct. 15, 1996; brothers, Harold, Ersel, Harry and Bobby Wakefield; and sisters, Sarah Hanson, Irene Walker, Marie Lawson, Alice Stewart, Lena Clark, Anna Clark and Esther Wakefield.
She is survived by her sons, Terry Benz and his wife, Shelia of Pella, Mark Benz and his wife, Elaine of Russellville, Mo. and David Benz and his wife, Lana of Marshalltown; a daughter, Shelia Walker and her husband, Darl of Phoenix, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; and brothers, Woodrow Wakefield of Davenport and Everett Wakefield of the Rock Island, Ill.