Ruth Button Grau, 93, of Elkader, Iowa, passed away Monday, December 29, 2025, at MercyOne Hospital in Elkader, Iowa. Ruth was born on September 3, 1932, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Henry “Harry” and Elena (Anderson) Button. She graduated as the valedictorian from East Waterloo High School, Waterloo, Iowa, with the class of 1950. She went on to graduate from Iowa Teachers College in 1952 and Upper Iowa University in 1970 with a teaching certificate and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, respectively.
Ruth spent her entire teaching career in the Central Community School District, first as a second-grade teacher and later as an elementary reading specialist. In addition to teaching, Ruth spent many years as a volunteer in the community, serving on the Elkader Library Board, Carter House Museum Board, Peace United Church of Christ Church Council, and other church and community activities. She and her husband were charter members of the Elkader Golf and Country Club, and she was an active member of Proteus and PEO. She was passionate about studying the genealogy of her family and that of her husband, tracing several branches back to the 1600s and documenting stories of family history and traditions. Ruth loved to travel–over her lifetime she visited all 50 states, as well as much of North America, Europe, and Africa. Reading and completing crossword puzzles were preferred leisure activities, when she was not attending games, activities, and performances of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was united in marriage with Robert B. Grau, on January 23, 1955, at First Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Iowa. Four children, Scott, Denise, Christopher, and Eric, were born to this union. Her intense pride in and love for every individual in her family was apparent to all, as was her devotion to her husband during their 48 years of married life.
Survivors include her four children, Scott Grau (girlfriend, Lowan Murray), Elkader, Denise (Daniel) Nelson, Chapel Hill, NC, Christopher (Julie) Grau, Elkader, and Eric (Carol Muller) Grau, Elkader and Philadelphia, PA; ten grandchildren, Anders (Allie) Nelson, Marit Nelson, Joshua (Annette) Grau, Kathryn (Jerad) Lally, Peter (David Wilkinson) Grau, Patrick (Staci) Grau, Edosa Grau, Meheret Grau, Zachary Muller Grau, Jasmine Muller Grau (fiancée, Macie Walker); thirteen great-grandchildren, Freya Nelson, Rose, Joseph, Clare, Julia, Emma, and Leo Grau, Isaac and Oliver Lally, Theodore Wilkinson Grau, Benjamin, Brooks, and Luna Ruth Grau; her sister, Betty (R. Deryl) Miller, Rock Island, IL; several nieces and nephews and special friend of the family, Susan Nalean.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Robert B. Grau, on July 22, 2003; her parents, Henry and Elena Button; her brother, Harry Button; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Oscar and Tena Grau; brother-in-law, Donald (Murial) Grau and sister-in-law, Doris Grau.
Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am with a visitation from 9:00 am until 11:00 am on Friday, January 2, 2026 at Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader, Iowa with Rev. Paula Anderson as the officiant.
Inurnment will be held at a later date in East Side Cemetery in Elkader, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader, Iowa is assisting the family with service