Ruth Harrison

Ruth Harrison, 89, of Jefferson, died Friday, November 17, 2017.

A Celebration of Life was held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 20 at First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson, Iowa with Rev. Gordon Moen officiating. Casket bearers were Nick Harrison, Foster Harrison, Chad Harrison, Brett Harrison, Matt Barker and Collin Harrison. Honorary bearers were Don Fatka, Larry Fatka, Ron Fatka, Rick Smith, Duane Stanek, David Fatka, Dave Mills, Denny Klocksiem and Allen Klocksiem. “In The Garden” and “Hymn of Promise” were sung by soloist, Doyle Carlson, accompanied by Danille Curtis. The congregation sang “Amazing Grace.” A luncheon was served at the church fellowship hall following the funeral. Interment was at Lost Grove Cemetery in Lanyon, Iowa at 1:00 p.m. Monday.

Ruth Magdalene Fatka, the daughter of Lewis and Lena (Shafer) Fatka, was born July 28, 1928 in Paton, Iowa and departed this life November 17, 2017 at Regency Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Jefferson, Iowa.

Ruth was raised on the family where she was born in Paton. At the age of 12, Ruth accepted Christ as her personal Savior to which she held fast throughout her life. She moved with her parents to Jefferson, Iowa in 1944. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1945. She attended Westmar College and completed her requirements to be an elementary teacher in 1948. She taught third grade in Early, Iowa

On August 4, 1949, Ruth was united in marriage to Walter Harrison at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Paton. Walter and Ruth were the parents of four sons. They spent seventeen years farming in the Paton and Burnside communities. In 1966, they moved to a farm near Lanyon where they lived for twenty-five years. During this time, Ruth did substitute teaching in local schools. She also enjoyed working with children in Sunday School and Bible School.

Walter and Ruth retired and moved to Jefferson in 1991. Ruth was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson. She loved her family and enjoyed her grandchildren immensely. The best times in her life were with her husband, Walter, whom she also considered her best friend. Together, they did considerable traveling and in later years, they enjoyed spending time hiking and exploring many parks and historical places of interest and seeing the country in their motor home.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Walter; her brothers: Wilber Fatka, Howard Fatka, Paul Fatka and infant brother, Warner; her sisters: Rachel Klockseim, Fern Mead and Nada Estes; and daughter-in-law, Linda Harrison.

Left to mourn her passing are her four sons: Joe Harrison of Gowrie, Iowa, Kim (Denise) Harrison of Alexander, Iowa, Mark (Ellen) Harrison of Onalaska, Wis. and Todd (Teresa) Harrison of Ogden, Iowa; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Charlotte Smith of Harcourt, Iowa; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

Memorials are suggested to St. Croix Hospice in Panora, First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson or Scleroderma Foundation.

Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson, 515-386-2171.

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