Ruth Elaine Sandeen

Gowrie Ruth Elaine Sandeen 90, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, August 19, 2021 at her home. Funeral Services will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church, Gowrie, with Pastor Jim Davis and Pastor Denise Berns officiating. Visitation will be 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Church until service time. Burial of casket will be in Gowrie Township Cemetery. Palmer Funeral Home, Gowrie is serving the family. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family. Ruth is survived by her son Steve (Jackie) Sandeen of Kelley; son-in-law Dean Downer of Massena; grandchildren, Jake (Lucy) Sandeen, Megan Sandeen, Ted (Stephanie) Sandeen, and Allison (Travis) Dorsey; brother Bob Swanson of Latimer; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Howard Sandeen; daughter Kathy Downer; grandson Nathan Downer; great-granddaughter Elayna Sandeen; and her parents, Ted and Adina (Renquist) Swanson. Ruth Elaine Swanson was born May 1, 1931, at Fort Dodge, and graduated from Harcourt High School, with the Class of 1949. Ruth also graduated from Iowa State Teachers College in 1951 and Drake University in 1968 with a Bachelors degree. On December 28, 1952, she was united in marriage to Howard Sandeen at Faith Lutheran Church in Harcourt. Ruth taught elementary school in Dayton for 3 years and at Callender for Prairie Community Schools for 30 years until her retirement. Ruth was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, Stephens Ministry, Alter Guild, Sunday school teacher, Mission Action Committee, and quilting ministry. Ruth dearly loved her family and friends, enjoyed dancing, quilting, playing cards, gardening, and entertaining. She also loved following her children and grandchildrens sporting events and Iowa State University Womens Basketball. SERVICES Funeral Services 1:30 p.m. - Tuesday August 24, 2021 Zion Lutheran Church Gowrie, Iowa OFFICIATING Pastor Jim Davis Pastor Denise Berns VISITATION 11:30 a.m. - Tuesday August 24, 2021 Zion Lutheran Church Gowrie, Iowa INTERMENT Gowrie Township Cemetery Gowrie, Iowa