Ruth Elizabeth Langreck

Tuesday, August 30, 2016 2:46 pm

Ruth Elizabeth Langreck, 88, of Cresco, passed away Aug. 24, 2016, at Evans Memorial Home. Visitation was Monday, Aug. 29, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Heritage Events Center in Cresco, with a scripture service at 7 p.m. Funeral services are Tuesday, Aug. 30, at 11 a.m. at Notre Dame Church, Cresco, with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Ruth was born Jan. 31, 1928, to Peter and Agnes Heying at her parents’ home in rural Winneshiek County, near Festina. She was the second oldest of 12 children. She attended country school and St. Mary’s School in Festina. After graduation, she worked at home on the family farm and for many of the neighboring families. Besides household duties, she milked cows by hand and in the fall husked corn from the fields. She was married to Ray Langreck April 1, 1948, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Festina, by her uncle, Fr. Jerome Bohr. The couple first made their home in West Union. In 1949 they purchased a farm in Cresco. The farm buildings were destroyed by a tornado three weeks later. Ray and Ruth rebuilt the farmstead and were life-long successful partners in farming. When Ray was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1952 and hospitalized for eight months, Ruth, with the support of her family, especially her sister, Elsie, held the farm and the family together. Ray and Ruth lived on the farm until 1988, and then moved to a house they built in Cresco. They were married for 64 years and had 11 children. Ray passed away in February 2013. Ruth was very involved in church and school activities as a member of the Altar and Rosary Society and church council, secretary of the Home and School Association, luncheon leader, and as the head of funeral committees. She was a fun lady who enjoyed traveling with friends, playing cards and going to the casino. She loved to quilt and gave each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren a handmade quilt or baby blanket. She was also known for her bread-making, often making 20 loaves at a time. Most importantly, she was a mother who prayed for and worried about her family and always remembered everyone’s birthday and anniversary with cards and gifts.

Survivors include six sons and five daughters: Linda (Bob) Henson of Clive, Gary (Janel) Langreck of Cresco, John Langreck of Cresco, Ken (Colleen) Langreck of Marengo, Diane (Dan) McGrain of Council Bluffs, Donna (Jeff) Jones of Ankeny, Deb (Glen) McIntire of Clear Lake, Dar (John) Skoda of Cresco, Dennis (Beth) Langreck of Lime Springs, Ron (Julie) Langreck of Cresco and Rick Langreck of Cresco; 34 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; siblings, Irvin Heying of Sumner, Kay Humpal of Decorah, Elsie Timp of Decorah, Cleo Heying of Luana, Richard Heying of Ossian, Joyce Shindelar of Calmar, Marcie Havel of Osage, and Don Heying of Calmar.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ray; her granddaughter, Kaitlyn Mumm; and siblings, Hugo Heying, Rosalyn Bodensteiner and Larry Heying.

Memorial donations may be made to the Notre Dame School, Cresco. Submit online condolences at hindtfuneralhomes.com.

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