Ruth C. Blake

Ruth C. Blake, 81, of Sioux City died Friday, Dec. 8, 2006, at a Sioux City hospital following a brief illness.

Services will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Lanette Plambeck officiating. Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. Monday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Ruth was born June 12, 1925, in Sioux City, the daughter of Grace and Art Boettcher. She lived in Dubuque, Iowa and Milwaukee, Wis. briefly as a child. They returned to Sioux City, and she had lived here ever since. She graduated from Central High School in 1943.

Ruth worked as a secretary for Hunt and Hawthorne grade schools before working as a secretary in the circulation department at the Sioux City Journal for nearly seven years. After her children were grown, she worked at Thompson Drug Store for 12 years as a cashier. Her favorite job was being a mother. She lived for her kids.

Ruth married Glenn Blake on May 5, 1950, at Crescent Park Methodist Church. They were married for 56 years and were blessed with one daughter and five sons. She deeply mourned the loss of three of their sons, but had the help of the rest of her children and other close family members to give her the strength to go on.

All of her sons were athletic, so for 30 years she traveled to their games, whatever the season, baseball, football or basketball. She was their biggest fan. When they didn't play anymore, she watched them coach and eventually watched her grandkids and great-grandkids participate in their activities. Ruth loved to travel, visiting every state except Alaska. Her lifelong hobby was embroidering, and she also loved to read. She was the treasurer for whatever club or organization she belonged to. She was also a member of Crescent Park Church for over 60 years.

Survivors include two sons, Larry (Kathy) Blake of Manning, Iowa and James (Jill) Blake of Sioux City; a daughter, Janice (Roger) Scheffer of Omaha; 10 grandchildren, Dana (Tony) Gerten, Ryan Scheffer, Jason (Marlene) Scheffer, Kia (Scott) Moran, Rick and Kaylee Blake, Cassie Hansen, Ethan and Allie Blake and Kelli Blake; six great-grandchildren, Joelle, Delaney, Ainsley Gerten, Adam Scheffer, Blake and Dayten Hogancamp.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Glenn Blake; and three sons, Ricky, Steven and Denny Blake.

Pallbearers will be Scott Moran, Ethan Blake, Ryan Scheffer, Rick Blake, Tony Gerten, Roger Scheffer and Paul Zielezinski.