Ruth was born May 12, 1935 in rural Clayton County. She was the daughter of William and Bertha (Hofer) Rainey. She graduated from Elgin High School in 1954. On March 31, 1955 she was united in marriage to Russell Friederich at the Elgin Lutheran Church. Ruth worked as the Elgin City librarian and then she owned and operated the Friederich Insurance Agency in Clermont and Elgin with her son, Steven.
Ruth was a very caring woman, a great cook and enjoyed hosting large family Christmas celebrations. She loved to golf and was a club champion numerous times at the Elkader Golf Course and Pleasant Valley Sport Course. She liked bowling, crossword puzzles, slots at the boat, Yahtzee, attending auctions and reading. She was a good mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
She is survived by one son, Steven of Elgin; three daughters, Connie Popelar (Ed) of Cedar Rapids, Bonnie Friederich of Elgin and Karen Friederich of Cedar Rapids; two grandchildren, Cassie Peterson (Kris) of Clermont and Stephanie Loftsgard (Nate Martin) of Coon Valley; three great-grandchildren, Waylon and Lawson Peterson and Clayton Loftsgard; a sister, Nora Cousins of Jesup; one brother, Kenneth Rainey of Illinois and special friend Jerry Medberry of Elgin.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Russell on October 13, 1990; two sisters, Barbara Dennler and Shirley Drenkhahn.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at the Elgin Lutheran Church, Elgin, Iowa. The Rev. David Coffin will officiate.
Friends may call from 4-7 pm Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at the Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Elgin, Iowa and one hour before services at the church on Wednesday.
Interment will be at the Elgin Cemetery, Elgin, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Elgin, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.