Ruth Marie Roberts

Ruth Roberts, 99, of Oskaloosa, passed away Tuesday, January 1, 2024, at the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House. Ruth Marie Roberts, daughter of Hugh Lucian Hunter and Zella Christine Hoover, was born July 7, 1924, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Ruth was a 1943 graduate of Oskaloosa High School. After graduation, she attended Deaconess Hospital Nursing School in Marshalltown, Iowa, graduating in 1946. On June 15, 1946, she married her lifelong sweetheart and the love of her life, Richard F. Roberts. They lived in Lincoln, Nebraska, where Ruth enjoyed nursing for three years; their first child, Rick, was born in Lincoln. After moving back to Oskaloosa, Ruth and Richard were blessed with a second child, Dyanne. On June 15, 1958, Richard passed away very suddenly from a massive heart attack. Ruth’s primary focus was raising her family; her children and grandchildren were her delights. Ruth was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Red Hats Society, and the First Christian Church. Ruth volunteered for many years at Mahaska Health, where she worked in the gift shop. She enjoyed knitting and especially spending time with her family. Ruth was thankful for her family and many friends; she was especially thankful for her daughter Dyanne’s attentive and loving care. Ruth’s family includes her children, Dyanne and her husband, Gary McKeag, of Oskaloosa; her three grandchildren: Danielle (Ben) Mullineaux of Rosco, IL, Bradley (Jessica) McKeag of Eddyville and John (Emily) McKeag of Oskaloosa and seven great-grandchildren: Gavin, Fiona, Theo, Ben, Ryker, Elaina and Axton. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Richard; her son, Richard Roberts, and his wife, Judy; and a special friend of over 62 years, Carl McMurray. Funeral services for Ruth will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 5, 2024, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel & Crematory; Pastor Molly Goodrich of the First Christian Church will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday; the family will greet visitors from 9:30 a.m. to service time on Friday. Memorial contributions can be made to The Shriners Hospital for Children or the Mahaska Health Foundation for the Hospice Serenity House.

Ruth Marie Roberts

July 7, 1924 - January 2, 2024