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Ruth Goings

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Ruth Goings
October 5, 1946 to September 2, 2018

Ruth Goings, 71, of Elkader, Iowa died Sunday, September 2, 2018, in the arms of her family. She was born October 5, 1946, in Charles City to Harry and Helen (Hinmon) Trepton. She grew up in Nashua, Iowa, in a loving family consisting of her parents, grandparents, sister, Mary Ellen, and brother, David. She graduated from Nashua Community High School in 1965.
In 1966, she married her high school sweetheart, Ken Goings. Ruth and Ken moved to Elkader in the winter of 1970, where Ken got a teaching job at Central Community School. They loved the community so much that they made it their permanent home. Ken and Ruth’s four children were their greatest joy and delight. All their life’s accomplishments pale in comparison to the importance that they placed on the raising of their children.
Ruth went back to school and finished her teaching degree at Upper Iowa in 1990, the same year her oldest son graduated from college. Ruth was a lifelong educator, teaching everything from kindergarten to high school. When Ruth lost the love of her life in 2004, she recreated herself as a single woman among amazing friends, playing golf, bridge, Settlers of Catan, and participating in groups like P.E.O., Seekers, and Seasoned Women.
Ruth was active in her community and her church. She started the first bell choir at Peace United Church of Christ and was proud of the fact that she had sung in a church choir from the age of 3. She served on the library board, as church council president, was a part of Peace’s first Stevens Ministry group, and was both a participant and a leader in Beginning Experience.

Ruth lived a life full of optimism and enthusiasm. She loved nature and all green and growing things. She loved music, reading, biking, and spending time with her extended family. In later years, she traveled to Chile, Italy, Ireland, Tanzania, and made several trips to New York City.  She was an avid sports fan, deeply loyal to the Iowa Hawkeyes. She had a sunny personality that brought people to her and a special talent with children. She completed RAGBRAI (twice) and several Boundary Waters/Quetico canoe trips. She loved collecting inspirational quotes.
Survivors include her children, Scott (Amy Woodworth) Goings, St. Paul, MN, Mark (Barbara) Goings, Augusta, WI, Peggy (Miles Pitcairn) Goings, San Diego, CA and Mary (Tim) Otto, Richland Center, WI; grandchildren, James, Jackson, Sam, Charlotte, Ben, and Ellie; great-grandson, Oliver; Brother, David (Karen) Trepton, Oconomowoc, WI and sister-in-law, Kathy (Bob) Baird, Waterloo, IA.Ruth was preceded in death and is now reunited with her parents, her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ellen and Ken Jezeski, and her beloved husband, Ken.  
Ruth was a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, Nana, friend, colleague, and person. We love you Ruth.

A visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 6, 2018, at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Elkader and after 9:30 a.m. on Friday at Peace United Church of Christ also in Elkader. Funeral service were held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 7, 2018, at Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader with Rev. Jon Haack officiating. Interment followed East Side Cemetery, Elkader, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home & Cremation Service assisted the family. Condolences may be left at www.graufuneralhomes.com.

 

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