She attended Westside Community Schools, graduating with the class of 1936. She was united in marriage to Vernon Ossenkop on October 20, 1938, at St. John Evangelical Church in Westside, Iowa. They made their home on a farm near Vail, Iowa, in Hayes Township. To this union were born five children.

Ruth worked hard on the farm, raising and selling chickens and tending to her garden. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and collecting ceramic chickens. She also liked to watch sports of all kinds, especially following the Iowa Hawkeyes and stock car racing. Some of her favorite television programs included Wheel of Fortune; Judge Judy; Dr. Phil; and The Price Is Right.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Vernon in 1984; twin infant sons; three brothers: Sam and his wife, Helen; Ivan; and Pat and his wife, Evangeline; one sister, Laverna and her husband, Ed. She is survived by one son, Larry and his wife, Mary; two daughters: Mary Kae and her husband, Rex; and Linda Brandenburg and her husband, Delbert; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert and his wife, Rowene; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held 2 P.M., Friday, August 5, 2011, at the Huebner Funeral Home in Westside, Iowa. Rev. Paul Seefeldt officiated the service and graveside rites held at Hayes Township Cemetery in Westside. Musical selections played included, "In The Garden," and "Amazing Grace, How Sweet The Sound."

Serving as pallbearers were Delbert Brandenburg, Randy Brandenburg, Mary Ossenkop, John Ossenkop, Rex Whannell, and Wayne Raasch.

The Huebner Funeral Home in Westside was in charge of arrangements.