TOLEDO-Ruth M. Whitsell, 90, of Toledo, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2011 at Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama under the care of Iowa Hospice. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with Pastor Charles Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Rector Cemetery in rural Chelsea. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 23, 2011 from 5-7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.
Ruth was born on October 27, 1920, in Vining, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Julia (Prusha) Hlavacek.
On November 6, 1943, she was united in marriage to Edgar "Ike" Whitsell in Lancaster, MO. They made their home south of Chelsea, where they farmed for thirty years. They moved to Toledo in 1975. Ruth was a member of the Chelsea United Methodist Church and the UMW. She enjoyed sewing, cooking and playing cards.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband in 2003; one son, Edgar Jr.; one brother, Frank Hlavacek; and two sisters, Edith Michael and Lucille Lekin.
Survivors include one daughter, Sandra Ann Kohl of Toledo; two grandchildren, Mark (Debbie) Seligman of Las Vegas, NV and Jessica Jenkins of Northglenn, CO; seven great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Elsie Whitsell of Chelsea; and many loving nieces.
A memorial fund has been established.