Obituary for Ruth Arthur Grant

Ruth Arthur Grant 92, "the lady with a song" passed away gracefully in her sleep on December 20th in the Ohana Residential Alzheimer''s Hospice Home in Bedford, Texas. Ruth had been residing until December 18th with her daughter Carolyn and husband Don since breaking her hip in March of 2012. Ruth was born on July 4, 1920 to La Vern H. and Caroline Meyer Arthur in Randalia, IA. She was the 4th of 5 strong and healthy farm children. Lyle W. Arthur of Maynard, IA; Harry L. Arthur of, Randalia, IA and Lillian M. McElroy of Percival, IA were Ruth''s siblings who have preceded her in death. Her youngest and only surviving sister Mary Lou Sherwood of Percival, IA was fortunately able to visit Ruth this last Thanksgiving for a wonderful week. Ruth graduated from both Randalia High School and later from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA with a teaching certificate at 19 years old in 1939. She was truly proud to have been an Alpha Chi Omirron, and has enjoyed remaining active as an historian with both her extended UIU family and her sorority sister''s for the past 25 years. All though Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband, coach and teacher Jack, in 1990 in Sarasota, FL. ,she rarely let a day go by without reliving a memory or two such as how they hitchhiked to Missouri to marry in 1942. Ruth''s life had many joys and sorrows but she remained strong and positive women with a song. Ruth took care of Jack and his lengthy illness the best she could while teaching until her retirement from Allamakee Community School Dist. In Lansing in 1985. Ruth and Jack began their family in 1943 with the birth of their 1st son Scotty Jack. However they were to lose a son, Hugh Arthur Grant in 1945 at birth. In 1947 they had their daughter Carolyn Beth and in 1956 their son Kevern Arthur. It wasn''t until 1973 that Ruth returned full time to college in the summers driving daily to Winona State in Winona, MN with son Scott, where she graduated with honors and a double Major in Music and Education. Ruth never retired from staying active. She played the organ in church and the piano whenever asked especially in the Lansing and Logan, IA nursing homes. She loved to sing with her Rock School Trio, Sweet Adeline''s. She often planned and participates in talent shows and loved to dance to the big bad sounds in Arizona, Texas and Florida where she often wintered. She enjoyed her years in Logan, IA where her son''s Scott and Kev Grant and wives resided. Ruth lovingly kept in touch with many of her PEO Sisters and past friends. She was a lifetime PEO member and enjoyed all activities in her various residences. Ruth will be remembered by some for her 1960''s witty column "Hello Neighbor" that she wrote for the Lansing Allamakee/ Waukon Journal. She loved to see the river kept clean as one of the Friends of Pool Nine members who takes care of the river there. In 1990 she established a riverfront picnic area under the bridge that she named the "Jack Grant Parkway" (soon to be renamed the Ruth and Jack Grant Parkway.) It proudly flies an American Flag and offers a bench, grill and table as a respite for everyone, complete with a spectacular view of the Mississippi River that both she and Jack cherished. Ruth never missed an opportunity to attend a Mudcats game or walk up town to visit her many aquaintances, years of students and friends. In her 92+ years she never met a stranger or forgot a song she was ready to sing. Ruth remained a member of the Lansing United Methodist Church in Lansing, IA. She was a "Grassroots Member" of Friends of Pool Nine since April 2007 and her contributions she always dedicated to Adventure Day for Kids. Survivors: Son, Scotty J. and wife, Linda Michels Grant of Logan, IA and granddaughter, Michelle Grant Stewart and husband, Lavelle Stewart and great granddaughters, Jaelynn and Dezarai of Houston, TX. Granddaughter Tracy Grant Schafer, Gary Gruis, great grandchildren, Samantha Schaefer, Zachary Schaefer and Gracie Gruis of Council Bluffs, IA. Daughter, Carolyn Beth Grant Fairbanks Leaman and husband Don of Bedford, TX and grandson, Todd J. Fairbanks and wife, Natalie Campbell Fairbanks and great granddaughter; Campbell A. Fairbanks of Hurst, TX. Grandson Corey D. Fairbanks, wife, Linda Boles Fairbanks and great granddaughters; McKenna L and Hailee B Fairbanks of Hurst, TX. Son, Kevern A. Grant and wife,Debra Robbins Grant and grandson, Joshua W of Papillion,IA and granddaughter Cassie B Grant of Logan, IA. Step-Grandson, Mark Leaman and wife, Marie Stokely Leaman, and great grandchildren; Melissa, David, Eric and Whitley Leaman of Boise, ID. Step-Granddaughter Terri Thompson Marble Falls, TX and great grandchildren, Andrew of Houston, TX and Kelly Thompson of San Marcos, TX. Step-Grandson Steve Leaman, wife, Janan Stubbs Leaman and great grandsons Zachary, and Philip Leaman of Mansfield, TX Ruth is also survived by one sister-in- law; Mrs. (Lyle) Zenita McLaury Arthur of Fayette, IA; as well as many wonderful generations of cousins, nieces and nephews living around the country. Memorial Service: A plan for a is to scheduled in late July at the "Ruth and Jack Grant Parkway" on the riverfront under the Lansing Bridge. Memorials: Donations may be mailed in her honor to: Friends of Pool Nine, PO Box 455 Lansing, Iowa 52151