Obituary for RUTH D SULLENBERGER

Ruth Sullenberger 81, of Des Moines passed away Saturday September 9th 2023 surrounded by her family. A visitation will be on Thursday, September 14, 2023 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Iles Grandview Park Chapel, 3211 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50317. The Funeral Service will be Friday, September 15, 2023 starting at 9:00 am at Iles Grandview Park Chapel. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens. Please join the family after the burial for a luncheon at the VFW Lodge, 1309 NW 66th St., Des Moines, Iowa 50313.

Born in Carbondale, Iowa on January 28, 1942, Ruth was the second to youngest of eight siblings born to Christopher Columbus and Annetta "Blanche" (Petefish) Rice. Ruth graduated in 1960 from East High School in Des Moines, Iowa in the top 15% of her class. Ruth then married Roger Steinkamp together they had two children, Juliann and Roger Steinkamp while their kids were young she worked for the Post office, and Pitney Bowes.

In 1974, Ruth got remarried to the love of her life Dice Sullenberger, and gained two additional children Kimberly and Dice Jr. Later, in 1979, she started working at Des Moines General Hospital where she worked as a payroll accountant for 22 years before retiring in 2001.

While married, together Ruth and Dice loved taking motorcycle rides often and even took a ride cross country. They also enjoyed spending time at the lake on their boat with and without the grandkids which they referred to as a 3-day boat ride. She was a devoted mother and wife. Her children and grandchildren were the light of her life and filled her heart with so much love and happiness. Over the years, she did her very best to play an active role in each and every one of their lives. She was known to be the most honest, loving, giving and caring person to everyone especially her grandchildren, a real life angel. Ruth enjoyed cooking for those she loved. She was known to be the best cook ever and has passed on her passion for cooking and her best recipes to her family.

Ruth is survived by sisters, Lizzie "June" Oldes, Annetta (Anne) Wolfram and brother, Donald (Lynne) Rice; children, Kimberly Jones and Dice Sullenberger Jr.; 9 grandchildren, Alan (Melissa), Amy, Andrea, Chrissy, Joshua, Ashley, Haylee, Skyler and Shelbi; 8 Great grandchildren, Cynthia "Faith" Camden, Lilly, Rayanna, Ashlynn, Allison, Emily and Sophia; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband Dice Sullenberger Sr.; children, Juliann Simpson and Roger Steinkamp; siblings, Eddie and Gerald Rice, Maxine and Helen Strange; parents, Christopher and Annetta Rice; and grandson Adam Jones.

Ruth is a 35-year breast cancer survivor and the family asks in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Susan G.Komen Cancer foundation or the American Diabetes Association in her name. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com. Arrangements by Iles Grandview Park Chapel.