Ruth E. Auten

Ruth E. Auten, 85, Fort Dodge, passed away on Monday, December 27, 2021, at Journey's at Friendship Haven. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 31st at 1:30 PM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with Pastor Nicholas Thackery officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM with a time for sharing at 7:00 PM all at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church -The family requests that all who attend to please wear a mask if able to do so. Laufersweiler Funeral Home is serving the family. Ruth is survived by her husband of 65 years Jerry of Fort Dodge, daughter Deann "Kim" Cockrum-Rolfes and her husband Dave of Gowrie, son Gerald Duane Auten, Jr. and his wife Sue of Norwich, VT, grandchildren Danyel Cockrum of Grimes, Andrew (Jackie) Cockrum of Fort Dodge, Walt (Kristen) Auten of Litchfield, NH, Mark (Deb) Rolfes Solon, Amie (Rob) Vicker of Johnston, 6 great grandchildren, sister Dorothy (Willis) Kester of Fort Dodge. She was preceded by her parents Peter and Bernice (Alitz) Mathieson, sisters and brothers-in-law Kay (DeVere) Jeffries, Gail (Don) Hughes, Verna (Eldon) Dexter, son-in-law Dan Cockrum, and her mother and father-in-law Margaret and Charles Auten. Ruth Elaine Mathieson was born on December 17, 1936 in Mitchell, IA. She graduated from N.I.A.C.C. in 1972, where she received her nursing degree. On January 18, 1956 she was united in marriage to Gerald Auten. From that union 2 children were born Kim and Gerald Jr. Ruth loved nursing. She was at Trinity Regional for 41 years. Ruth helped develop the chemical dependency unit. She counseled patients there until her retirement. Ruth enjoyed Ladies Aid, Ladies Quilting group and volunteering for Hospice, which she was voted Volunteer of the Year. Ruth will be remembered for her many acts of kindness, knitting, scrabble, and her Kringla. She was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where she enjoyed helping with church events and taught Sunday School. She was past President of the A.A.L. for 3 years, America Nurse's Association, and the National Nurse's Society on Addiction. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family. Visitation Thu, Dec 30, 2021 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Funeral Fri, Dec 31, 2021 at 1:30 pm Good Shepherd Lutheran Church