Ruth Helen Willits

Ruth Helen (Lidster) Willits, 89, of Davenport died Monday, January 10, 2011 in Iowa City. A family celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Interment will be alongside her husband at Rock Island National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Putnam Museum in Davenport or Iowa City Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.rungemortuary.com.

She was born October 28, 1921 in Porter County, Indiana to Homer and Clara (Fiegenbaum) Lidster. She was united in marriage to John T. Willits in 1960.

Mrs. Willits worked for many years at Northwest Bank and Trust Company in Davenport, retiring in 1987 as Vice President of Bank Operations. She served as President of the Women’s Division of the Davenport Chamber of Commerce, was a Past President of the Quad Cities Chapter of the Bank Administration Institute and of the South East Chapter of the National Association of Bank Women. Following her retirement, she was a volunteer at the Putnam Museum and Clarissa Cook Home and enjoyed many years working for Weight Watchers. She also enjoyed her hours pumping iron and keeping fit with friends at the Y. She was an avid cook and gardener; loved music, the symphony and travels with her husband and friends, that took them throughout the world.

She is survived by children Robert (Melanie) Black, Post Falls, Idaho, Gregory (Barbara) Black of Iowa City, John (Vickie) Willits, Basehor, Kansas and Sue Smith of Davenport. She had eight grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, her dear husband, “Jay” and sisters, Virginia Breckenridge and Barbara Jackson, preceded her in death.