Ruth Wiles Spencer

Ruth Spencer passed away on February 1, 2021 at Wesley Acres. Ruth was born on May 29, 1924, in Valley Junction, Iowa, and was the tenth of eleven children of Leslie H. and Maude Wiles. She grew up in the Des Moines area and married John Spencer in 1944.

Ruth retired from Thermogas, Inc. as an Executive Secretary/Office Manager in 1985 where she had been employed for 18 years. Prior to Thermogas, she was employed as Comptroller in the Polk County Treasurer’s Office.

Ruth was active in politics, Chamber of Commerce, served on the Personnel Committee of the Heart of the Hawkeye Council Camp Fire Girls for several years, was a member of Executive Women International and a Distinguished Honorary member of Phi Tau Omega Sorority, Sigma Lambda Chapter. She enjoyed traveling, golf and crafts of all sorts and especially her coffee and bridge groups. Her family meant the world to her.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband John E. Spencer, her daughter Laura Lindaman, her parents Leslie H. and Maude Wiles, granddaughter Jodee Ruth Lindaman, brothers John, Earl, Melvin, Lloyd and Leslie, sisters Mildred Loll, Dorothy Beanblossom, Maxine Jones and Leila Thompson.

She is survived by her son John E. II (Carol), ten grandchildren, six step grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister Bonnie Knepper of Johnston, Iowa. A private burial is to be held.