Natalie Rucker

Natalie Rucker, the daughter of Carl and Laura (Hinkle) Rogers, was born July 27, 1914, at her parents’ home south of Exira, Iowa and died February 25, 2019, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 104 years, 6 months, and 29 days.
Natalie was baptized at the Bowman Chapel Methodist Church northeast of Exira. She later was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church. Natalie attended Audubon County Oakfield Academy and then graduated from the Exira High School.
In 1932, she was united in marriage to Wayne Rucker in St. Louis, Missouri. They were blessed with three children Arnold, Ruth, and James. Natalie helped Wayne on the farm where they grew row crops and raised livestock along with being a homemaker raising their children. Wayne died November 6, 1975. Later Natalie married Lloyd Stetzel and became a member of the Exira Christian Church. She enjoyed her home in Exira until she moved to the Exira Care Center in Exira in October of 2010.
Natalie was a member of the Exira Christian Church in Exira. She was an avid genealogist and historian and donated a lot of the family history to the Exira Public Library through the years. She loved to garden and always had a large vegetable garden and enjoyed canning the produce she collected. Natalie also enjoyed doing anything pertaining to crafts.
Preceding her in death is her husband Wayne Rucker; her infant son Arnold Lee Rucker; her grandson Todd Phelps; her parents; her 2 brothers and 6 sisters.
Survivors include her daughter Ruth and husband Arnold Phelps of Lebanon, Missouri; her son James and wife Lora Rucker of Staunton, Illinois; her grandchildren, Mark Phelps, Larry Phelps, Robert Phelps, Melissa Kohlmiller, Bradley and wife Susan Rucker; 1 great grandson; 3 great-great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family will meet with friends on Thursday morning, February 28, 2019, at 11:00 A.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. The committal will be conducted by Pastor Glen Meyers at the Exira Cemetery in Exira at 12:00 P.M. The casket bearers will be Carey Ballou, Dennis Ballou, Jon Hays, Jeff Madsen, Scott Madsen, and Mike Davis.