Ruth Emma Volkmann
May 15, 1928 — September 28, 2017
Ruth Emma Volkmann
Ruth Emma Volkmann, daughter of Vernon and Emma (Brogden) Heiden, was born May 15, 1928 in Denison, Iowa. She was baptized in 1928, and confirmed in 1940 at the United Methodist Church in Denison. Ruth graduated from Denison High School in 1946, then attended St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa for Laboratory and X-Ray training in 1948.
Ruth married Palmer Bernard Volkmann on March 21, 1949 in Denison and to this union, two children were born, daughter, Pamela and son, Randy. Ruth and Palmer lived north of Vail, farming with his father from 1949-1960, before moving back to Denison. She worked for Drs. Miller and Sievers from 1947-1949, then worked as a bank teller at Crawford County Trust and Savings Bank for over 30 years, retiring as head teller in 1992. Ruth belonged to several organizations and served on several boards over the years. She was a member of the LM Shaw Chapter of Questers and the Denison Chapter of Relay for Life. Ruth was a past Worthy Advisor of Rainbow and in the Grand Cross of Colors, treasurer of the American Red Cross in Crawford County for 17 years, an Oakland Cemetery board member, and a Martin Luther board member. She was a life-long member of the Denison United Methodist Church family.
Upon her retirement in 1992, Palmer and Ruth began to winter in Texas for the next 18 years, always making sure to spend the holidays with family in Iowa, first, then going south to enjoy the warmth. They made many wonderful friends while at their winter home in Texas. Having her family all home and baking them their favorite Christmas treats was very important to Ruth. She also made plates of Christmas cookies which she and Palmer would deliver to the nursing homes and other special people. She was a wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother, and cared so much about her family and friends. Ruth loved sending people greeting cards. She always remembered special occasions or difficult times people were going through and let them know she was thinking of them with a card. She made everyone she met feel special and was a faith-filled and caring friend to all. Ruth loved their years of camping with friends, bird-watching, especially cardinals, baking, being outside taking care of her flowers, but mostly spending time with family and friends. She was an avid reader and worked part-time at Norelius Library for a short time after retiring from the bank.
Ruth passed away Thursday, September 28, 2017 in Denison, Iowa, attaining the age of 89 years, 4 months, and 13 days. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Palmer; daughter, Pamela Law; and her brothers, Charles and Jon Heiden, and brother-in-law, Kenneth Gray.
Left to cherish her memory and forever miss her are her son, Randy (Connie) Volkmann of Denison; son-in-law, Benny Law of Maryville, Missouri; grandchildren: Tori (Scott) Landers of Platt City, Missouri, Mandi Richey (fiancé Eric) of Maryville, Missouri, Andrew (Jami) Volkmann of Cambridge, Iowa, Jesse (fiancé Sarah) Volkmann of Ricketts, Iowa, Luke (Leslie) Volkmann of Littleton, Colorado; great-grandchildren: Lane, Logan, and Ellie Volkmann, Drew and Kian Volkmann, Mikayla and Mason Landers, Preston Richey and Blake and Tristan Hayes; sisters-in-law Lois Gray of Tacoma, Washington and Elizabeth Heiden of Clive, Iowa; nephews: David, Jeff, Chris, and Dan and niece, Michelle; extended family and mand friends she made on her journey home.
Ruth requested memorials in her name be made to the American Cancer Society or First United Methodist Church in Denison.
Ruth Emma Volkmann, daughter of Vernon and Emma (Brogden) Heiden, was born May 15, 1928 in Denison, Iowa. She was baptized in 1928, and confirmed in 1940 at the United Methodist Church in Denison. Ruth graduated from Denison High School in 1946, then attended St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa for Laboratory and X-Ray training in 1948.
Ruth married Palmer Bernard Volkmann on March 21, 1949 in Denison and to this union, two children were born, daughter, Pamela and son, Randy. Ruth and Palmer lived north of Vail, farming with his father from 1949-1960, before moving back to Denison. She worked for Drs. Miller and Sievers from 1947-1949, then worked as a bank teller at Crawford County Trust and Savings Bank for over 30 years, retiring as head teller in 1992. Ruth belonged to several organizations and served on several boards over the years. She was a member of the LM Shaw Chapter of Questers and the Denison Chapter of Relay for Life. Ruth was a past Worthy Advisor of Rainbow and in the Grand Cross of Colors, treasurer of the American Red Cross in Crawford County for 17 years, an Oakland Cemetery board member, and a Martin Luther board member. She was a life-long member of the Denison United Methodist Church family.
Upon her retirement in 1992, Palmer and Ruth began to winter in Texas for the next 18 years, always making sure to spend the holidays with family in Iowa, first, then going south to enjoy the warmth. They made many wonderful friends while at their winter home in Texas. Having her family all home and baking them their favorite Christmas treats was very important to Ruth. She also made plates of Christmas cookies which she and Palmer would deliver to the nursing homes and other special people. She was a wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother, and cared so much about her family and friends. Ruth loved sending people greeting cards. She always remembered special occasions or difficult times people were going through and let them know she was thinking of them with a card. She made everyone she met feel special and was a faith-filled and caring friend to all. Ruth loved their years of camping with friends, bird-watching, especially cardinals, baking, being outside taking care of her flowers, but mostly spending time with family and friends. She was an avid reader and worked part-time at Norelius Library for a short time after retiring from the bank.
Ruth passed away Thursday, September 28, 2017 in Denison, Iowa, attaining the age of 89 years, 4 months, and 13 days. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Palmer; daughter, Pamela Law; and her brothers, Charles and Jon Heiden, and brother-in-law, Kenneth Gray.
Left to cherish her memory and forever miss her are her son, Randy (Connie) Volkmann of Denison; son-in-law, Benny Law of Maryville, Missouri; grandchildren: Tori (Scott) Landers of Platt City, Missouri, Mandi Richey (fiancé Eric) of Maryville, Missouri, Andrew (Jami) Volkmann of Cambridge, Iowa, Jesse (fiancé Sarah) Volkmann of Ricketts, Iowa, Luke (Leslie) Volkmann of Littleton, Colorado; great-grandchildren: Lane, Logan, and Ellie Volkmann, Drew and Kian Volkmann, Mikayla and Mason Landers, Preston Richey and Blake and Tristan Hayes; sisters-in-law Lois Gray of Tacoma, Washington and Elizabeth Heiden of Clive, Iowa; nephews: David, Jeff, Chris, and Dan and niece, Michelle; extended family and mand friends she made on her journey home.
Ruth requested memorials in her name be made to the American Cancer Society or First United Methodist Church in Denison.
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