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The Life of RUTH LOUISE DAWSON

Ruth was born in Ludlow, KY but spent her early years in Nicholasville and Lexington. She and her mother moved to Iowa when Ruth was a young girl and lived with her Aunt and Uncle Mable and Edward and Cousin Bill Murray in Johnston. She passed away on June 19, 2020 at her home.

She graduated from Johnston High School where she enjoyed playing softball and basketball and then from Mercy School of Nursing as an R.N.

D-Day changed everything. Ruth enlisted as a WWII Cadet Nurse and had been scheduled to be shipped to Camp Crowder in Missouri but fate would end the war before she got settled there.

Ruth and Marty were married in Latonia, KY and were together for 60 years. During that time Ruth did private duty nursing.

She and Marty were members of Auburn Lodge Chapter O.E.S., and Highland Park American Legion/Auxiliary where Ruth served as Auxiliary Unit President, Polk County and Sixth District President. Ruth was a very proud member of this American Legion Auxiliary and she will forever be a part of the history of that Legion

Ruth enjoyed helping Sid Cox, Steve Brandl and Rick Williams with Bingo at the American Legion Hall on Friday nights and enjoyed seeing and visiting with all of the Bingo players. Her homemade treats were something everyone looked forward to.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Marty, father Bernard Cox, mother and step-father, Hazel and Alvin Borst. Ruth is survived by special cousins, Elizabeth Hooper, Nancy Lee and Teri, members of the Dawson family and her second family Linda (Mark) Arnburg, Patty (Chris) Nearmyer and their families.

The family would like to thank Mercy Hospice Johnston for their wonderful care of Ruth in her final weeks.

There will be a visitation from 12:00pm –2:00pm, on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines. Following the visitation there will be a graveside service at 2:15pm at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, 1 NE 60th Ave., Des Moines.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Legion Auxiliary #374 in memory of Ruth Dawson.

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