BOONE, Iowa—Ruth Elaine (Jones) Shafer, 90, of Boone, Iowa, passed away at her home surrounded by her children in Boone on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
She was born on August 30, 1932, in Boone, Iowa, the daughter of Forrest Lewis Jones and Hazel Anna (Roberts) Jones. She graduated from Boone High School in the class of 1950. On September 25, 1953 Ruth married Marvin James Shafer at the First Baptist Church in Boone.
She was a Beta Sigma Phi sorority sister. Ruth was employed at many different jobs throughout her life, including switchboard operator for Bell Telephone, Hattie’s Egg Farm, Fab N Trim sewing store, the Sheriff’s Office, License Department, Boone County Abstract Company, 20 years part-time Eastern Star Masonic Home receptionist, retiring at 75, and volunteered at the Boone County Hospital.
Ruth was a member of the First Baptist Church, where she was a Sunday School teacher. Music was a big part of her life; she and Marvin square danced, Waltz, and enjoyed many other dances. She enjoyed collecting many different items and displayed most of them throughout her home. She also enjoyed reading and traveling, spending winters in California with family. Ruth was in charge of organizing the class reunions for the BHS Class of 1950 and also arranged to have a scholarship given out each year from the class of 1950. She was fond of knitting and crocheting, making a blanket for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, plus a few extras. Ruth took pleasure in scrapbooking, cooking, watching cooking shows, genealogy, and collecting dolls and bears. She also loved spending time with family and friends.
Ruth is survived by her children: Craig (Amy) Shafer of Boone, IA, Laurie (Doug) Doran of Beaver, IA, Rodney Shafer, wife, and two children, and Jennifer Stowell of Boone, IA; 12 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren, 1 more on the way; son-in-law of 43 years, Scott Stowell, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.
Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at the First Baptist Church in Boone, with Pastor Janell Bloem officiating. Interment will be at Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone following the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family to use at their discretion.
Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, Iowa is assisting the family with these arrangements.
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