On Wednesday, April 28, 2021, surrounded by her family, Ruth L Riley passed away at the age of 99. Ruth was born November 17, 1921 on a farm in Madison, Missouri to Thomas and Nannie Rebecca (née Bostwick) Lusk. She attended college at the University of Missouri where she studied home economics. Ruth had a vibrant and storied career, working for the USDA inspecting canneries before settling in Des Moines in 1955 to become a writer for Successful Farming Magazine at Meredith Publishing. She spent many much-cherished years as Home Services Director with Maytag where she traveled the country demonstrating optimal use and care for the modern washer and dryer. Ruth’s final professional venture was to open a kitchen design business - Ruth L Kitchens - where she designed and installed modern, elegant kitchens throughout Des Moines. She retired in 1996 and enjoyed years of snowbirding between Iowa and Arizona.
Ruth was so much more than her career. She loved life. She was ambitious, vivacious, and brave. She was always up for an adventure, and boy, did she have adventures! She was the queen of her kitchen, and in her free time she loved to garden, bake, and arrange flowers. Her style and grace were evident in everything she touched. Those she left behind will remember her loving and generous spirit most of all.
Ruth is survived by her daughter-in-law, Linda Bos; her three grandchildren, Tom (Brooke) Bos, Cassidy Bos, and Jon Bos (Angela Gingery); step-children Michael Bos, Maryann Green, Kathleen Riley, Pam Riley, Molly (Mitchell) Anderson, Margaret Riley, Mark (Charlotte) Riley, and Meaghan Riley; nieces and nephews Nancy Seyfert, Alice Wilkinson, Martha McCormick, Leo Tushaus, and David Tushaus; three great grandchildren Destiny, Eva, and Ruby Bos; as well as grandnieces and nephews, step-grandchildren, and countless others unnamed but surely not forgotten.
She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Thomas Bos; two husbands, Larry Leaverton and Richard Riley; her parents; four sisters, Laura Delaney, Alice Lusk, Julia Tushaus, and Barbara Savalick; granddaughter Torey Bos; and stepsons Jon Bos and Richard Riley II.
A special thanks to Kathleen “Kate” Riley for the care and friendship shared with Ruth during her last years. Thanks also to the Home Care and Healthcare Center staff at Scottish Rite Park for their incredible care of Ruth, and for their kind support as her family said goodbye.
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