V. Ruth Ouverson

    V. Ruth (Ballentyne) Ouverson, 92, of Fertile, Iowa passed away Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Forest City, Iowa.
    A funeral service was held Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Fertile Church of Christ with Pastor Dennis Ganz and Pastor Rob Perry officiating. Burial followed in the Grant Township Cemetery, rural Fertile.  According to Ruth’s wishes, memorials may be designated to Cookson Hills Christian Home in care of Fertile Church of Christ, P.O. Box 125, Fertile, Iowa, 50434.

    Ruth was born on Jan. 9, 1919, in Clear Lake. She grew up on a farm just north of Ventura and would often recall how she would walk four miles each day to attend classes at the Grant Township School. Ruth lived with her grandparents in Fertile while she attended Fertile High School.
    On July 4, 1936, Ruth was united in marriage to Virgil Ouverson at the Fertile Church of Christ. Together they made their home in Fertile for over 75 years. Throughout her adult years Ruth’s first priority was raising their children and tending to their home.
    She was accomplished in knitting and crocheting and made many afghans for family members and friends throughout the years. Ruth also enjoyed crossword puzzles and was available to lend a hand whenever the Fertile Church of Christ Christian Workers had an event or activity. Ruth enjoyed going out for dinner with Virgil each Friday evening at Pizza Hut and they did their weekly grocery shopping afterward. Ruth liked watching her weekly episode of “The Lawrence Welk Show” on Saturday.
    Those grateful in sharing in Ruth’s life are her husband, Virgil, of Fertile; her sons, Larry (Judy) Ouverson, Yellville, Ark., Dennis Ouverson, Sebring, Fla., and Roger (Susan) Ouverson, Vinton, Iowa; 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Dick (Ethel) Ballantyne, Mason City, and Bill (Irene) Ballantyne, Clear Lake; and a sister-in-law, June Ballantyne, Clear Lake; as well as extended family members and many friends.
    She is preceded in death by her mother, Dora Ebaugh; a son in infancy, Jimmie Ouverson; a daughter, Rosalie Ouverson; and two brothers, Stan and Darrel Ballantyne.
    Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.