The Life of RUTH ESTHER PICKETT GRINDEM
Ruth E. Grindem, 95, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, at Emeritus Assisted Living facility in Urbandale. She was welcomed in to her heavenly home by many loved ones and friends. Her Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, October 30, 2010, at Zion Lutheran Church, 4300 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, at 10 a.m., with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, October 29, 2010, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines.
Ruth was born in Des Moines on January 22, 1915, to Thomas and Agnes Gilge. She grew up in West Des Moines and attended West Des Moines schools. Being the second child of seven, she left high school to help her mother raise her siblings after her father’s death. She lived for a short time in Garden City, IA, and then in Seneca, IL, where she married Harvey Pickett. They returned to the Des Moines area in 1945 and lived in Highland Park until 1975. After the death of Harvey, she met and married Irwin Grindem and they moved to Harlingen, TX. After Irwin died in 1981, she moved to Grimes, IA, where she lived for 27 years where she was known as the cookie lady or quilter.
She retired after 25 years at the Credit Bureau of Des Moines. Her favorite pastime was making quilts for family and friends. She loved cooking and baking and sharing it with friends. She was known for her brownies, everyday cookies and Kringla. She was also active in her church, which she loved.
She will be missed by her son, Donald Brown (Cheryle) of Gresham, OR; daughter, Betty Werner (Frank Giuliani) of Cape Coral, FL; son, Robert Brown (Mary) of Portland, OR; daughter, Ruth Graham (Lloyd) of Waukee, IA; 15 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren, as well as many special friends. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Harvey Pickett and Irwin Grindem; special friend, BF Elin; her parents; and siblings, Bertha Helgason, Eric Gilge, Charles Gilge, Thelma Warth, Lillian Day and Thomas Gilge, Jr.; grandson, Dennis Brown, and great-great-granddaughter, Trinity Billings.
The family wishes to thank Emeritus of Urbandale staff and Southern Care Hospice for their wonderful care. Memorials can be made to her church, Zion Lutheran.
