Ruth Ann French

Ruth Ann Crumbaugh French, 88, of Oskaloosa passed away Friday, January 2, 2015, at the MHP Serenity House in Oskaloosa. As was her wish, her body has been cremated. Graveside memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Forest Cemetery with Rev. Bruce Wittern of Central United Methodist Church officiating. The Cemeteries North Ninth Street entrance should be used when attending the service. Memorials may be made to Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter. Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements. Ruth Ann, daughter of Forrest Lee and Bessie (Sollenberger) Crumbaugh, was born on April 16, 1926, in Oskaloosa. After attending elementary school in Oskaloosa, Ruth Ann fought through a lengthy illness and received her high school diploma in 1947 from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo. She moved to Chicago in 1953, where she worked for Northern Trust Bank for nine years. In 1974, following her divorce from Robert French, Ruth Ann moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, to be closer to family. She worked for Kmart Corporation until retirement in 1991, when she returned to Oskaloosa. Upon her return to Oskaloosa, Ruth Ann enjoyed reconnecting with friends from her early years, as well as making many new friends. Ruth Ann will be warmly remembered for her curiosity, adventurousness and fun-loving spirit. She loved music, dancing and spending time with friends. She had an appreciation for nature and a special fondness for animals, and supported many animal rescue organizations. Always creative, Ruth Ann enjoyed sewing, decorating and collecting antiques. She was a member of the Central United Methodist Church and a former member of Kings Daughters, American Legion and V.F.W. Auxiliaries. Ruth Ann’s family includes her nieces, Patricia Hartigan Sund (Charles) of Grayslake, Ill., and Leigh Hartigan Trembath (Stuart) of Clear Lake, Iowa; nephews, Lee Crumbaugh (Sherry) of Glen Ellyn, Ill., and Chris Crumbaugh of Tacoma, Wash.; great-nieces, Erin Sund, Lauren Trembath-Neuberger, Hannah Trembath, Carrie Crumbaugh Love; and great-nephews, Brendan Sund and Drew Crumbaugh. Ruth Ann’s dear friends in Oskaloosa include the Uitermarkt family, whom she considered her adopted Oskaloosa family. In addition to her parents, Ruth Ann was preceded in death by her brother, John Crumbaugh; sister, Eleanor Crumbaugh Hartigan; brother-in-law, Thomas Hartigan; and sisters-in-law, Edna Crumbaugh and Ardeth Crumbaugh. As was her wish, her body had been cremated and a private graveside memorial service will be held at Forest Cemetery later this spring. Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.

Ruth Ann French

April 16, 1926 - January 2, 2015