Ruth Geraldine Edwards

Ruth Geraldine Edwards, the daughter of Fred and Mabel (Hood) Campbell, was born March 1, 1925, at her parents’ home southeast of Hamlin, Iowa, and died October 8, 2020, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa, at the age of 95 years, 7 months, and 7 days.

Ruth was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Audubon, Iowa. She attended rural school near Hamlin and graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1943. Ruth took Normal Training then taught country schools, Hamlin #1 and #2 for several years.

On January 8, 1945, she was united in marriage to Dale Mason Edwards at the Methodist Church Parsonage in Audubon. They were blessed with three sons: James, Jeffrey, and Greg. Dale was serving in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Battle Creek, Michigan, where Ruth and Dale lived until he was honorably discharged. They returned to the Audubon area and in 1948, rented and operated a farm in Viola, Iowa. They grew row crops and raised livestock. In 1952, they purchased their own farm in Viola Township. Ruth helped Dale operate the farm and assisted him with his fertilizer business and later with the Twin Lakes Lookout located south of Fort Dodge, Iowa, which was a roller skating rink/ night club. They sold the business in 1977, retired from farming in 1978 and moved into Audubon. Ruth was employed as a sales assistant at several of the local clothing stores before she retired. Dale died on December 3, 2017. Ruth lived at home until she moved to the Friendship Home in Audubon on October 1, 2019.

Ruth was a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church in Audubon. She was very active in the women’s circle and served as President. Ruth also served on several church committees. She was a member of the Audubon County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, the Red Hats, and the Viola O.D.O neighborhood club. Ruth was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and served as the Worthy Matron in 1973. She enjoyed golfing, bowling, playing cards, but most of all spending time with her many coffee friends.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Dale M. Edwards; her sons, James M. Edwards and Gregery Edwards; her parents; her brothers: William F. and wife Margaret Campbell, Louie and wife Mayme Campbell, and Robert Campbell; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: William and wife Barbara Edwards, Roydon and wife Teresa Edwards, and Wanita Farnham.

Survivors include her son, Jeff and wife Sue Edwards of Audubon, Iowa; her grandchildren: Jessica and husband Rich Baker of Coon Rapids, Iowa; Matt and wife Tracy Edwards of Ankeny, Iowa; Kellie and husband Dave Geater of Simpsonville, South Carolina; Brett Edwards of Lincoln, Nebraska; Tahara and husband D.J. Norton of Des Moines, Iowa; and Tracie and husband Stephen Jochum of Boone, Iowa; 12 great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Harriett Campbell of Audubon, Iowa, and Ron and wife Sue Edwards of Ankeny, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

The family will meet with friends on Monday evening, October 12, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. The family is requesting visitors to wear masks at the visitation. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Kathy Kluis on Tuesday afternoon, October 13, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The casket bearers will be Matt Edwards, Brett Edwards, Rich Baker, D.J. Norton, Paul Campbell, and Stephen Jochum.


*** Ruth's funeral service will be livestreamed at the facebook page for KESSLER FUNERAL HOMES INC. The service will go live 2-3 minutes prior to the service beginning. Her obituary and photo is currently posted, so if you check now and see that information, you are in the right place. ***