TOLEDO-Ruth Arlene Baier, age 83, of Toledo died Sunday, July 1, 2012 at Carrington Place of Toledo under the care of Iowa Hospice. Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael Mescher as celebrant. Interment will be held at 4:00 PM on Tuesday at Hebron Cemetery in rural Greenfield, Iowa. Memorial Visitation will be held Monday, July 2 from 5-7 PM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama. Kruse-Phllips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo is handling the arrangements.
Ruth was born on March 11, 1929 in Ames, Iowa the daughter of Fred and Myrtle (McKinley) Pantenburg. While in school, she played basketball and her team participated in the state tournament. Ruth graduated from Napier High School in 1947 and was the class valedictorian. She was united in marriage to Robert Winn Baier on January 20, 1951 at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Ames, Iowa. Ruth was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama and the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed strong coffee, long walks, and attending Iowa State basketball and football games. Ruth also enjoyed watching the NCAA basketball tournament, fishing, going to auctions, and spending time with her family and friends and attending the activities of her grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband and love of her life, Robert on September 9, 2010; brother, Dick (Audree) Patenburg; and a brother-in-law, Jack Limbaugh.
Survivors include five children, Kathy Ritter of Marshalltown, Dave (Lori) Baier of Tama, Steve "Elmer" (Shawn) Baier of Tama, Linda (Jim) Beltz of Toledo, and Deborah (Tom) Llewellyn of Tama; eleven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Bill (Donna) Baier of Greenfield; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Ward of Boone and Helen Limbaugh of Algona; several nieces and nephews; and her Boston Terrier, Max.
A memorial fund has been established.