Funeral Services for Ruth Ahrendsen were held Saturday, May 12, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Church, Heritage Park in Manning, Iowa. Reverend Patrick R. Sparling of Zion Lutheran Church in Manning officiated. Music was provided by the congregation accompanied by Carolyn Kerkhoff. Casketbearers were all of Ruth's loving grandchildren. Interment was in the Manning Cemetery in Manning.

Ruth, daughter of Samuel L. and Edna Blanche (Snow) Adams, was born September 28, 1913, at Kirkman, Iowa. The family soon moved to a farm northeast of Irwin. She attended rural school through the eighth grade and then Irwin High School, graduating with the Class of 1931. After completing Normal Training Ruth taught rural school for one year. She then began working at home and helping others with housework.

On November 22, 1938, Ruth was united in marriage with Lorenz P. Ahrendsen at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lincoln Township in Audubon County. Four children were born into this union. In 1941, Ruth was confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church and remained a member until the church closed its doors in May 2006. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School, working as a 4-H leader for over 40 years, serving as a member of the Jolly Rippers Club, needlework, helping others and taking care of her family.

After her husband's death in 1979, Ruth remained on the family farm south of Manning until May 2006. She then became a resident of Regency Park Nursing Home in Carroll where she died on May 10, 2007, at the age of 93 years, 7 months and 12 days.

Preceding her in death are her parents; husband; grandson, Andrew Wageman; great grandson Jasper Butzlaff; four brothers: William Adams and wife Bernice, Victor, Charles and Leonard Adams; brother-in-law Arthur Ahrendsen and sister-in-law Alta Ahrendsen.

Ruth is survived by her four children: Delores and husband Richard Kaczor of Hays, Kansas; Donna and husband Charles Butzlaff of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Norma and husband Barry Wageman of Wausaw, Wisconsin; and Larry Ahrendsen and wife Connie of Manning; thirteen grandchildren: Nathan Kaczor and wife Angie; Joel Kaczor and wife Mary; Elizabeth and husband Myron Grady; Christopher Butzlaff and wife Kelly; Jeremy Butzlaff and wife Lisa; Jonathan Butzlaff and fiancé Sheila Beck; Jeffrey Wageman and wife Jennifer; Bradley Wageman; Joseph Wageman and wife Ivonne; Jodi and husband Stephen Miller; Cory Ahrendsen and wife Jan; Wendy Ahrendsen; and Brian Ahrendsen and wife Karla; twenty-one great-grandchildren; sister Alice and her husband Melvin Noelck of Melcher; three sisters-in-law Verna Adams of Irwin; Harriett Gray of Denison and Nona Adams of Santa Cruz, California; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Ohde Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.