Ruth Rayburn

Ruth Jean Rayburn, 85, Clear Lake, died Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 at her home. 

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 1, 2013 at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, Clear Lake, with Rev. Bernie Colorado officiating.  Following the service she will be cremated and inurnment will take place at a later time in Clear Lake Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake and then one hour before the service on Friday at the church.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Clear Lake United Methodist Church or Clear Lake Opportunity Village.

Ruth was born Nov. 6, 1927 in Bloomfield, Iowa, the daughter of Johnny Orval and Metta Gladys (McEldowney) Sullivan.  She graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1946.  She taught school for one year, 1946-1947, in rural Davis County.

  She was united in marriage to Charles W. Rayburn Jan. 31, 1947 at the Christian Church parsonage in Bloomfield.   Ruth was happily married to her loving husband, Charles, for 66 years.  They moved to Clear Lake, Iowa in 1965.      

She was a talented seamstress and had a sewing and alterations shop for over 40 years, retiring in 2000.  Ruth was a card artist whose Card Art by Ruth provided greetings and comfort for thousands over the years.

She enjoyed swimming at Opportunity Village where she had an infinity of friends, and appreciated  reading, bird watching, going on scenic bus trips and traveling.  She was an excellent cook and kept her family stocked in homemade jellies and pickled beets.  She was known as the Sullivan’s family historian.

She was a member of United Methodist Church, Clear Lake; United Methodist Women Circle; Sorosis Club; and Tops #430, Clear Lake.

Ruth is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Charles Rayburn, Clear Lake; four children, Jack (Beth) Rayburn, Mankato, Minn., Gene (Judy) Rayburn, St. Paul, Minn., Russell Rayburn, Clear Lake, and Ann (Dennis) Wall, Windsor Heights., Iowa;  two grandchildren,  Elizabeth Christensen Rayburn and her fiancé, Caleb Barron, Santa Cruz, Calif., and Brian C. Wall, Windsor Heights; seven siblings, Kay Johnson, Newton, Iowa, Frank Sullivan, Kennewick, Wash.,  Mary Fulkerson, Newton, Iowa, Nanci Gee, Ottumwa, Iowa, Judy (Charles) McMains, Mesa, Ariz., Harry Sullivan, Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Eunice Taylor, Mesa, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Ethel Sullivan, Ottumwa, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Doris Whitacre, Joy Swanson and Alberta Collister; three brothers, Park, Robert and Johnny Sullivan; five brother-in-laws; and two sister-in-laws.  

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.