Ruth Peterson

Ruth Marie (Valde), the daughter of Noah and Pearl (Johnson) Valde, was born at home on a farm north of Ellsworth in Liberty Township, Hamilton County, IA, on June 4, 1925. She passed away November 2, 2025 at her home in Ellsworth.

At age five, Ruth started first grade at Buckeye, IA. During the year her family moved to a farm near Ellsworth, and she attended country school. The following year the family moved into Ellsworth where she continued her education, graduating from Ellsworth High School in 1942.

After graduation Ruth attended Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls, IA. She taught in rural schools in Hamilton County for two years: one year at South Cairo near Jewell, and another year at Sandness near Randall. After returning to ISTC to earn her two-year teaching certificate, she finished the last half of the school year teaching third/fourth grade at Delmar, IA. The following year Ruth taught fourth grade in Lake Mills, IA.

On August 17, 1947, Ruth married Arling Peterson at the Union Church in Ellsworth. They made their first home on a farm near Jewell. The house had no running water and for the first year, no electricity. Ruth helped by caring for baby chicks, gathering and cleaning the eggs. In 1955, they purchased a farm east of Ellsworth and lived there until 2000 when they moved into Ellsworth. Ruth and Arling enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Arling died in June of 2011.

In 1956, Ruth resumed her career in education teaching kindergarten in Ellsworth. She also took college courses in the evenings, Saturdays and summers, receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from Drake University in 1965 at age 40. Ruth loved teaching children. She taught at South Hamilton (Ellsworth, Randall, and Jewell locations) for 31 years: 15 years in kindergarten, 15 years in first grade, and 1 year in second grade.

Ruth was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellsworth. She taught Sunday School for many years. She also helped organize the Senior’s and Friends pot luck group often finding people to give a program for the monthly noon lunch. The activity Ruth enjoyed the most in her retirement was Trinity’s Service Project Group where she spent many weekday afternoons with friends working on hand quilting, tying quilts, or embroidering tea towels.

Ruth belonged to other organizations. During her years in education, she was a member of SHEA, ISEA, and NEA. For many years she enjoyed monthly meetings of Advance Club. Ruth also was an active member of PEO. One of Ruth’s greatest joys was playing her piano and organ.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Susan (Greg) Olsen of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren: Kristin (Bill) Bensen of Spencer, IA, Stephanie (Bob) Sannes of Sioux Falls, SD, Peter (Ashley) Olsen, of Missoula, MT; great grandchildren: Hannah Bensen, Alex Sannes, and Ryan Sannes: brothers: Stanley Valde of Ankeny, IA, Frank (Bette) Valde of Eldora, IA, Richard (Shirley) Valde of Rochester, MN; brothers-in-law: Sterling Peterson of Jewell, Stanley Peterson of Urbandale, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Arling Peterson, her brother Paul Valde, and several sisters and brothers-in-law.

Visitation will be held Friday, November 7th, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellsworth, IA. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 8th, 1:00 pm at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellsworth, IA. Burial will take place in the Homewood Cemetery in Ellsworth. For more information and online condolences, go to: www.boekefuneralhomes.com Boeke Funeral Home of Radcliffe is caring for Ruth and her family.