Ruth Vieth

Ruth Christell Vieth, 92, of Atlantic, Iowa passed away September 8, 2018, at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa.

Ruth was born July 6, 1926, in Burnside, Iowa, the daughter of Swen and Minnie (Olsen) Swanson. She grew up in Webster County and graduated high school from Fort Dodge High School. Having received her teacher’s certificate after attending Grand View College and Drake University; she taught elementary grades at Oakland, Huxley and Norwalk, Iowa.

While teaching in Oakland, Ruth met Charles Vieth and they were married on August 2, 1953. They moved to Washington DC, Kansas City, KS, Loveland, CO and then back to Iowa in 1967, where Ruth taught for 3 years in Norwalk, Iowa. They started an apple orchard in Norwalk, where Ruth worked with Charles until 1985. In retirement, they lived in Panora, Iowa, and Crossville, TN. In 1995, Ruth and Charles settled in Atlantic, Iowa.

Ruth was a user of the Public Library wherever they lived as she loved to read. She taught Sunday school and was a frequent member of Church Women’s groups. In addition, she was a member of the Norwalk Women’s Group, Panora Garden Club and Atlantic Thursday Book Club. At Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa, she was a Guild member and volunteered her time at their 2nd Hand Rose store. She and Charles were also supporters of the Atlantic, Iowa YMCA.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Vieth; her parents, Swen and Minnie Swanson; her parents-in-law, Chester and Mary Vieth; her sisters, Viola Conrad and Alma Dencklau; her brother, Earle Swanson; and her sister-in-law, Jean Sargent.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Ellen (Dr. John Barnard) of New Albany, OH; her son Christopher (Laura) Vieth of Lansing, MI; her grandchildren, Christian and Anna Barnard and Ryan Vieth; her sisters, Irene Peck of Fergus Falls, MN and Marlene Owens of Centerville, IA; her brother, Wayne (Phyllis) Swanson of Norwalk, IA; other relatives and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Good Samaritan, c/o Heritage House, 1200 Brookridge Circle, Atlantic, Iowa, 50022, are appreciated.