Ruth Arlene Hunt
August 16, 1920 — May 18, 2018
A remarkable woman of humble beginnings Ruth was born at home on August 16, 1920 near Hamilton, Iowa. Ruth was the second of eight children born to William and Ethel (Richmond) Harrison. She was the oldest daughter. Her family was financially poor while she was growing up, but Ruth said they were rich in love.
At 16, Ruth graduated from Hamilton High School in 1937. Her 1st teaching job was in 1939 in rural Pleasantville at a 1-room country school. She received $50 per month. This began her 30-year career as a teacher. She went on to teach 3rd grade in Pleasantville for 21 years, until she retired in 1981.
When her mother became ill with breast cancer she selflessly put her own career on hold and went home to help. She married Russell Hunt in Memphis, Missouri June 14, 1941. Ethel died the next month and although she was married, Ruth stayed at home and cared for her father and the 6 remaining siblings until a housekeeper was hired. She kept her promise to her mother to take care of her siblings and did so for her entire life.
The couple was blessed with 3 children and while Russell farmed and Ruth raised the family she managed to take evening and Saturday classes, and graduated from Drake University in 1963 with a degree in Elementary Education. In 1973 she was diagnosed with early stages of Macular Degeneration, which is deterioration of the retina. She would become legally blind but remained positive and independent. The couple tragically lost their daughter Janice and granddaughter Suzanne in 1974 but found strength in God and comfort in family. Russell worked the farm until he died on January 8, 2005 at age 93. They were married 63 years.
Ruth was kind and considerate to others and lived her life as an example of the love Jesus has for us. Granddaughter Erin described Ruth as having a big heart and a beautiful smile. It is a well-known fact that she was a wonderful cook (her pies were legendary). Her family was her pride and joy and she would do anything for them. Ruth was known to be very generous. If anyone had a need, she did her best to help. She was a devout Christian, and even after she lost her eyesight she continued to read Bible passages by sliding the magnifier over one word at a time. She enjoyed visiting with family and listening to songs that tell a story (like gospel and the ‘old’ country music). Her life was filled with trials, yet her faith, character and sense of humor remained intact. Family meant everything to her and she always put them first. She always had a word of encouragement and there was no doubt of the love she had in her heart for those near and dear. Ruth’s favorite mottos were: “Don’t put off till tomorrow, what you can do today” and “One day at a time”. She also wrote poetry in her spare time.
Those left to cherish her memory are Virginia (Larry) Raney of Pleasantville; Arlos (Patricia) Hunt of Ankeny; grand and great grandchildren: Erin (Todd) Cook, Jake and Emerson Hiemstra and Lauren Cook of Pleasantville, Kristen (Ryan) Caffrey; Sean, Ian and Caitlin of Ankeny and Craig (Julia) Hunt of Des Moines; siblings: Robert and Donald Harrison, Margaret VanderLinden, Barbara Rodgers and Beverly Lanphier.
Meeting her in heaven are her parents; husband, Russell; daughter, Janice Truman; granddaughter, Suzanne Truman; great-grandson, Henry Harrison Hunt and brothers, Gerald and Kenneth Harrison.
At 16, Ruth graduated from Hamilton High School in 1937. Her 1st teaching job was in 1939 in rural Pleasantville at a 1-room country school. She received $50 per month. This began her 30-year career as a teacher. She went on to teach 3rd grade in Pleasantville for 21 years, until she retired in 1981.
When her mother became ill with breast cancer she selflessly put her own career on hold and went home to help. She married Russell Hunt in Memphis, Missouri June 14, 1941. Ethel died the next month and although she was married, Ruth stayed at home and cared for her father and the 6 remaining siblings until a housekeeper was hired. She kept her promise to her mother to take care of her siblings and did so for her entire life.
The couple was blessed with 3 children and while Russell farmed and Ruth raised the family she managed to take evening and Saturday classes, and graduated from Drake University in 1963 with a degree in Elementary Education. In 1973 she was diagnosed with early stages of Macular Degeneration, which is deterioration of the retina. She would become legally blind but remained positive and independent. The couple tragically lost their daughter Janice and granddaughter Suzanne in 1974 but found strength in God and comfort in family. Russell worked the farm until he died on January 8, 2005 at age 93. They were married 63 years.
Ruth was kind and considerate to others and lived her life as an example of the love Jesus has for us. Granddaughter Erin described Ruth as having a big heart and a beautiful smile. It is a well-known fact that she was a wonderful cook (her pies were legendary). Her family was her pride and joy and she would do anything for them. Ruth was known to be very generous. If anyone had a need, she did her best to help. She was a devout Christian, and even after she lost her eyesight she continued to read Bible passages by sliding the magnifier over one word at a time. She enjoyed visiting with family and listening to songs that tell a story (like gospel and the ‘old’ country music). Her life was filled with trials, yet her faith, character and sense of humor remained intact. Family meant everything to her and she always put them first. She always had a word of encouragement and there was no doubt of the love she had in her heart for those near and dear. Ruth’s favorite mottos were: “Don’t put off till tomorrow, what you can do today” and “One day at a time”. She also wrote poetry in her spare time.
Those left to cherish her memory are Virginia (Larry) Raney of Pleasantville; Arlos (Patricia) Hunt of Ankeny; grand and great grandchildren: Erin (Todd) Cook, Jake and Emerson Hiemstra and Lauren Cook of Pleasantville, Kristen (Ryan) Caffrey; Sean, Ian and Caitlin of Ankeny and Craig (Julia) Hunt of Des Moines; siblings: Robert and Donald Harrison, Margaret VanderLinden, Barbara Rodgers and Beverly Lanphier.
Meeting her in heaven are her parents; husband, Russell; daughter, Janice Truman; granddaughter, Suzanne Truman; great-grandson, Henry Harrison Hunt and brothers, Gerald and Kenneth Harrison.
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