Ruth O. Bode

Ruth O. Bode

Ruth Olive Rosenberger Bode passed away Friday, July 15, 2011, at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home in Fort Dodge, Iowa, after recently celebrating her 95th birthday. She had been a resident of Fort Dodge since 1961, living in the family home at 1219 5th Ave. No., moving to Friendship Haven in 2004. 

Ruth was born in Mitchellville, Ia. May 23, 1916, one of four daughters and a son to Homer and Gael (Goens) Rosenberger. The family moved to Cedar Falls to be closer to the arts and a college community.  They had a strong faith in a loving God and Ruth learned her first lessons about life values with emphasis on education and music. “We never had a lot of money,” Ruth said, “but there was always enough for music lessons. It was one of the strongest influences of my life,” music being a necessity more than a luxury. She was a trained vocalist, pianist, organist and violinist using her gift of music to serve others, especially as church organist at Grace Lutheran Church for 25 years. She attended ISTC, now UNI, majoring in music, later to obtain a masters degree in Education from Drake University.  It was in her German class that she met Arnold Ralph Bode whom she married in 1941. Ruth and Arnold lived and worked as music educators throughout their lives in Iowa until moving to Fort Dodge in 1961 where Arnold taught instrumental music at Fair Oaks. They had three children, Diane, Helen and Arnie, Jr. 

Ruth was the consummate teacher. She taught piano and violin lessons in her home. Her life was centered around numerous musical venues including violinist with the Fort Dodge Symphony, and church organist and pianist for other church services when needed, even into her 90s. Besides music, Ruth taught English and Composition at St. Edmond High School and at Northeast Hamilton, Blairsburg. She took her assignments seriously, traveling to Des Moines weekly for organ lessons.       

Ruth was a third generation feminist, fiercely independent. She was a loving wife and mother, always supporting her family in their various endeavors. Some of her hobbies were sewing, embroidering, and making beautiful shirred rugs out of recycled woolens. She and Arnold enjoyed many friends and fellow musicians as guests in their home. She spent her life serving others through music, praising her God.         

Ruth is survived by her daughters, Diane (Harold) Blatt of Manchester, IA, and Helen Patterson of Fort Dodge, IA, grandchildren Suzanne Claude of Cedar Rapids, Doreen (Duane) Ogden of Webster City, and Dr. Andrew  (Diane)Claude of Starkville, MS., and great-grandchildren, Katherine Claude of Decorah, IA  and Willis and Evan Claude of Starkville, MS.       

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold, and son, Arnie and daughter-in-law, Julie (Hovey) Bode.      

Visitation is Wednesday, July 20, from 5pm to 7pm at the Celebration Center, Friendship Haven, 420 Kenyon Road, Fort Dodge. The Funeral celebration is 10am Thursday, July 21, at St. Marks Episcopal Church, 1001 First Ave. So., Fort Dodge.      

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Fort Dodge Symphony or the YWCA Womens Shelter.      

Bruce-Graham Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

 

Fort Dodge Area Funeral & Cremation Service, Bruce Funeral Home