Ruth Benge

March 19, 1916 - April 4, 2016

Ruth Ellen Benge, 100, of Bloomfield, Iowa passed away on April 3, 2016 at the Bloomfield Care Center. She was born March 19, 1916 in Davis County, Iowa to John and Bessie Beard Harris. She married Clifford Raymond Benge on July 20, 1935 in Lancaster, Missouri. He preceded her in death on February 12, 1975. Ruth worked as a cook at various restaurants in Bloomfield and was also a driver for the Amish in Davis County. She was a very hard working, caring, and loving person; always making sure the needs of others were met before thinking of herself. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, crocheting, and watching baseball. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She was a member of the West Grove United Methodist Church. She is survived by three daughters, Darlene (Carl) Ritz of Bloomfield, Donna Jean Burdett of Ottumwa, Iowa, Nadine Day of Bloomfield; 13 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 43 great-great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Fay Harris. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four brothers, Carl, Lowell, Roy, and Homer Harris; and two sisters, Mildred Foster and Helen Johnson. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Pastor Dave Albert officiating. Burial will be at the West Grove Cemetery in West Grove, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday with the family present to greet friends from 6-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials have been established to the Bloomfield Care Center Activity Fund or Hospice of Wapello and Davis Counties.