Services will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, March 30, at the Runge Mortuary. Visitation will begin at 9:00am. She will be laid to rest in Rosehill Cemetery, Buffalo, IA. Memorials may be made to Senior Resources of Muscatine Iowa. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com.
Ruth was born March 6, 1929, to Charles and Emma (Wessell) Swift in Davenport, IA. She was a cheerleader and Homecoming Queen runner up at Davenport Central High School.
Ruth had worked as a telephone operator at NW Bell Telephone Company, Day's Pharmacy, Model Dairy, and Scharff's Dept. Store. Her last job was Sue's Hallmark Shop.
On October 8, 1949 she married Melvin Guenther at St. Mark’s Church, Davenport, IA. They started a family and had 3 children.
She was a member of Pythian Sisters Banner Temple #49, Quad Cities Plus 60, Mercy Silver Service, Jackson County Historical Society, PTA, Firemen's Aux., Den Mother, BlueBird Leader, Sunday School Teacher, an avid member of Calvary Lutheran Church, and the Pleasant Grove church where she was a member of the Pleasant Grove Ladies Aide.
She and Melvin moved to Columbus Junction in 1976, where they raised assorted animals, had a large garden and strawberry patch, canned a variety of vegetables, and put their prize produce in the local fair.
Ruth was an avid stamp collector and family historian. The family would gather on holidays at her house, especially at Christmas when she would make her famous German Potato Salad.
She is survived by her children, Robin (Deb), Melody and Gavin (Karen); grandchildren, Deanna, Jared, Briana, Laura, Erika, Kyle, Lindsey, and Cody; 15 great grandchildren; and sister, Shirley Vensland.
She was preceded in death by siblings, Milburn (Hazel) Swift and Dale Swift.
