Ruth E. Barnes

Ruth E. Barnes, 88, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Anamosa, died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids.

She was born Nov. 2, 1924, in Cass Township, Jones County, Anamosa, Iowa, the daughter of Harl Clark Newhard and Florence Day Newhard. She was a 1942 graduate of Anamosa High School. She worked at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids for 19½ years and later at General Mills. In her retirement, she was a nanny for Nicole and Harrison Baty, children of Dan and Dee Baty. She considered them to be her own grandchildren. She enjoyed bingo, making afghans, golf, reading, watching college basketball, especially the Hawkeyes and caring for the Baty children In her later years, she enjoyed sitting on her patio and watching the birds.

Ruth is survived by one daughter, Janet Ireland of Marion; two sons, Dennis (Colleen) Ireland of Prairieburg and Michael (Kerri) Barnes of Allen, Texas; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Lois (Clarence) Sedgwick of Dundee; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, David Barnes.

According to her wishes, her body has been cremated. Inurnment will be held later this spring in Riverside Cemetery, Anamosa.

Cards may be sent to Janet Ireland, 4500 Widgeon Ct., Marion, IA 50302.

Elliott Chapel, New London, is in charge of arrangements.

Published in The Gazette Feb. 6, 2013.
Updated; published Feb. 7, 2013 in The Gazette