After 91 years on earth, my mother Ruth Maxwell has returned to her heavenly home, April 3, 2013.
Erma Ruth Claypool Maxwell was born on July 27, 1921, in Murray, Clarke County, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Albert Claypool and Erma Loretta Sanders Claypool. She was greeted by her husband of 53 years, Norman Leslie Maxwell, her youngest daughter, Nancy Lea Maxwell Wheeler, and brothers George, Albert & Everett Claypool and sisters Bernice Claypool Jones & Alice Claypool Reynolds.
Left to mourn her passing is daughter Carolyn Kay Maxwell (Richard) Gooden. Sharing in her loss are grandaughters: Samantha Beth Wheeler, Angela Wheeler Baum, Torian (Harry) Colon, Toya Gooden; great-granddaughters: Hayli & Havyn Colon; grandson: Dexton Barker; great-grandson: Airryck Barker; sisters-in law: Elsie Maxwell Collman, Betty Maxwell Wander, Hester Brewster Maxwell and her nieces & nephews with their families.
During their life together Ruth and her husband Norman lived & raised their girls in Elkhart, Iowa, where they owned and operated Norman’s Garage.
In her last years she received tender, loving care from the wonderful nursing staff of Arcadia at Manor Care in Overland Park, Kansas. In her final days she received special care from Odyssey & Heartland Hospice staff. Her church family from Ankeny, Iowa Christian Church provided friendship and love during her sojourn in Kansas City.
She leaves a legacy of her deep faith in God, devotion to family and love of gardening. She is safely in the arms of God now.
A service of remembrance will be held at Manor Care, 5211 W. 103rd St., Overland Park, KS at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 9. Her life will be celebrated at Ankeny Christian Church on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Visitation at 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m., then interment with her husband Norman, at Ankeny Memorial Gardens.
Donations in her memory may be to Ankeny Christian Church, 2506 SW 3rd Street, Ankeny, Iowa 50023. (Arrangements under the direction of Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO)