Due to COVID-19, a private family service for Ruth will take place at St. Francis of Assisi Parish: St. Henry Catholic Church in Marshalltown followed by burial at Riverside Cemetery. Invited attendees are asked to please wear a mask and practice social distancing. Cremation rites have been accorded per the wishes of Ruth and her family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for later designation. She and her family are being cared for by Mitchell Family Funeral Home. The service will be available to watch live stream on the Mitchell Family Funeral Home Facebook page at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, August 11. Please visit www.mitchellfh.com to view the direct link for the live stream or to leave a condolence. Please call 641-844-1234 with any additional questions.

Ruth Catherine Heinrichs was born in Breda, Iowa on February 19, 1931, to William and Matilda Koster.

Ruth married Cletus “Clete” Heinrichs, on Valentine’s Day, 1953 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Breda, Iowa. With this union was born 8 children: Gary (Paula), Dale (Kathy), Jeanne Oetker, Karen (Larry) Brown, Jack (Rae), Doug (Sherie), Jeff (Geri Larson) and Kristy (Brian) Gregory. Clete and Ruth have 19 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.

Ruth was an active member of St. Henry’s Catholic Parish. She served as president and member of Altar and Rosary Social, CCW, served as head of the St. Henry’s Funeral Committee for many years and was actively involved in the study club.

Ruth was a sports enthusiast. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and an Iowa State Cyclones fan. They enjoyed season tickets to the women’s basketball team for many years. Ruth was a talented seamstress and enjoyed making her 3 daughters’ wedding gowns. She also enjoyed taking many classes at the college and focusing on history and writing.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her sister Maxine (Marvin) Heinrichs; her brother Roger Koster; brothers-in-law Richard (Mary) Heinrichs and Maury (Meg) Heinrichs; and sisters-in-law Delores Koster and Bernadine Heinrichs.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband Cletus on November 20, 2019; her parents William and Matilda Koster; Clete’s parents Herman and Eleanora Heinrichs; siblings Bill (Loretta) Koster, Walter (Viola) Koster, Velma (Bob) Blum, Kerm (Elsie) Koster, Don Koster, Doyle (Berniece) Koster, Darlene Koster, LeRoy (Joanell) Koster; in-laws Cyril Heinrichs, Harold Heinrichs, Janice (Denny) Loew; and son-in-law Ron Oetker.

View the funeral service live stream: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell-Family-Funeral-Home-99280714047/