Ruby Yearous

Saturday, January 6, 2024 4:26 am

Ruby Jean Yearous, 85, of rural Sumner, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, at CountryHouse Residence for Memory Care in Cedar Rapids. The family wishes to thank the staff of CountryHouse and St. Croix Hospice for their exceptional and compassionate care of Ruby.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 AM, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner, with Rev. Tracy Hinkel officiating. A luncheon will follow the service. Visitation will precede services at the Church on Saturday beginning at 10:30 a.m. Becker & Son Funeral Home in Sumner is assisting Ruby’s family. Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com.

She was born east of Sumner, Iowa, on March 16, 1938, the third child of Bernard E. and Helen A.(Bartels) Buhr. She and her older twin brother were baptized at Hope Lutheran Church, Westgate, on April 3, 1938, by Pr. Leon Gehret, and confirmed there on April 6, 1952, by Pr. El Roy Buhr. Ruby attended elementary school at Banks Center and Banks #6 Township and graduated from the Fayette County Public Schools on May 23, 1951. She graduated from Sumner High School on May 18, 1955. She received a two year teaching degree from Wartburg College in Waverly and taught elementary school in La Porte City. She then received a four year degree from Upper Iowa University in Fayette where she met John Yearous and on July 19, 1959, the couple was united in marriage at Hope Lutheran Church. Ruby continued her teaching career in Hawkeye. In the early 1960’s the couple moved to Rialto, California. Where she taught at Colton. While in California, the couple was blessed with two daughters, Margo and Jonna. Upon their return to Iowa in 1967, the family was complete with the arrival of their son, Jerit. Ruby and John began farming in rural Sumner in 1975. Ruby was very hard working, whether it be milking the cows, tending to other tasks at the farm, or being a mother. Although she and John remained very busy, they found time to go dancing. They attended many dances but might be considered “groupies” of the Dave Dighton Band, even attending a Dave Dighton Band Cruise. Ruby was a longtime faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner, where she was very active in many of the Women’s Groups including Bible Studies, Quilting Group and serving at Funerals. Her love language was serving others. Whether opening their home as a safe loving place to people who were going through struggles in life; or simply sharing their table with visitors enjoying good food and conversation. Ruby enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening, reading, oil painting, collecting recipes and baking.

Ruby is survived by her daughters, Margo (Al) Suckow of Van Meter and Jonna Yearous of Center Point; daughter-in-law, Jenn (Chad) Richey of Pleasant Hill; seven grandchildren, Madi (Luke) Moffitt of Midland, Texas, Parker (Lizzy Lyon) Suckow of West Des Moines, Burke Suckow of Dallas Center, Estee and Ellie Winter of Center Point, Taylor (Chris) Habermann of West Des Moines and Callie Yearous of West Des Moines; three great-grandchildren, Cody, Wyatt, and Beau Moffitt; and twin brother, Rev. Roger (Gale) Buhr of Decorah.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, John in 2019; son, Jerit in 2020; and brother, Lowell in infancy.