Obituary of Ruth R. Pauls

Ruth R. Pauls, 92, passed away Tuesday afternoon, May 6, 2014, at the Newton Health Care in Newton. Funeral services for Ruth will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 12, 2014, at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Rev. Ken Van Loon, Immanuel Baptist Church in Newton, conducting the services. A visitation with the family will be held Sunday afternoon, May 11, 3p.m.until 5 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials are being designated in Ruth's name. Burial will be in the Newton Union Cemetery. Ruth, the daughter of Elmer and Julia (DeBruyn) Birkenholtz, was born July 23, 1921, near Newton, Iowa. She was a graduate of the Newton Senior High, Class of 1939, and Normal Training. Ruth taught rural country school, in the Sully and Jasper County areas. On May 16, 1942, Ruth was united in marriage with Robert Pauls in Bethany, Missouri. She had devoted her life to her family, and was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church, Senior Saints at church, O&E Craft Club and past 4-H leader for the girls Atomic Starlets. She enjoyed reading her Bible, writing letters, sewing, fishing, playing the piano and traveling. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Robert on February 9, 1998; her daughter Patricia Broad; two brothers: Virgil in infancy and Marion Birkenholtz; sisters: Anna, Mrs. Lester Hardenbrook, Mary Ball and Irene, Mrs. Peter Meindertsma; and her special friend Archie Hackeney. Those left to honor Ruth's memory include her son William "Bill" (Kris) Pauls of Columbia, Missouri; her son-in-law Jim Broad of Palestine, Texas; her four grandchildren: Mary (Jody) Bowden, Adam (Melissa) Broad, Jeffrey (Amy) Pauls and Kelly (Jeremy) Monroe; eight great-grandchildren: Hannah, Caitlyn, Garrett, Jessica, Lauren, Kendall, Lukas and Abigayle; a sister Engeline Jarnagin of Prairie City; many nieces and nephews; and friends.