Obituary of Ruth Lorraine Corlew

Ruth Lorraine Corlew, 80, passed away Thursday, May 26, 2011, in the Monarch Wing at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. Funeral services for Ruth will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, at the Pence~Reese Funeral Home in Newton, who have been entrusted with the arrangements. Rev. Gary Marzolf, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, conducting the services. A visitation with the family will be held 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, and 10 a.m. Wednesday until service time, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials in Ruth's name are being designated: to Willowbrook Adult Day Care or Hospice of Jasper County. Burial will be around 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City. Ruth, the daughter of Lewis E. and Georgia (Woodward) Johnson, was born April 14, 1931, in Mason City. She was a graduate of the Mason City High School and later attended a year of College. She had been employed as a bookkeeper for area Vinton banks and government agencies. On March 10, 1951, Ruth was united in marriage with Russell Eugene Corlew in Mason City. She had lived in Corwith, Mason City, Vinton, and moved to Newton in 1999, to be near her son. She had devoted her life to her family. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Russell in 1999; her two brothers: Earl and George; and three sisters: Mary, Gladys and Ann. Those left to honor Ruth's memory include her sons: Bruce (Debbie) Corlew of Newton and Brian (Debbi) Corlew of Colona, IL; her three grandchildren: Wendy (Bret) Eilander, James (Erin Roberts) Corlew and Peggy Corlew; her two great-grandchildren: Phoenix and Connor; and her many friends.