Ruth Jean Johnson, 96
Ruth Jean Johnson, 96, of Marshalltown, IA, passed away Friday, July 19, 2019, at Grandview Heights Rehab and Healthcare in Marshalltown. She rejoins her family members, including husband Cecil and son Alan, who have been waiting for her. A Celebration of Life gathering will be 4:30 p.m., Saturday, July 27, 2019, at the American Legion Post 46, lower level, 1301 South 6th Street in Marshalltown. Memorials may be directed to the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown and the Marshalltown Frank Lewis Glick American Legion Post 46. Arrangements have been entrusted to Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.
Ruth was born December 23, 1922, in Alden, IA, to Carl and Mina (Brauer) Klein. She grew up on the family farm and attended school in Iowa Falls, IA. Ruth was united in marriage to Cecil Johnson on May 11, 1942, in El Centro, CA, just before Cecil was deployed by the Army for WWII. She worked as a telephone operator. Ruth didn’t see Cecil again until the war ended. They moved to Indiana where Cecil was assigned as a cook at a POW Camp. Ruth also played first base for the Army softball team. After the war, they moved back to Iowa Falls, then to Marshalltown, where she was a stay at home mom to her two children, Gregg and Alan. Ruth was a strong woman who survived cancer in the early ’60s and went on to own/run successful restaurants with Cecil, including Cecils Cafe, Bypass Cafe, Totem Bowl Lounge and Cecils Roundtable (at the same time!). Ruth and Cecil also ran the concession stand at the Softball Complex for many years, as well as sponsoring many teams. After Ruth and Cecil retired, they spent their winters in Mesa, AZ, making friends and having a great time. They spent their summers in Canada, where both loved to fish. They finally moved back to Marshalltown in 1985.
Ruth is survived by her son, Gordie (Debbie) and their three children, John, Adam and Laura. She also has three grandchildren from her son, Alan (Julie), Lindsey, Carrie and Kelley.
Ruth was preceded in death by her son, Alan; husband Cecil; sister Lois (Grua), brother Willard (Klein).