Ruth Anderson-Giese

Ruth Anderson-Giese passed into the loving arms of Jesus Christ on November 21, 2011 at a Sioux City nursing home.A memorial service will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at the Mohr Funeral Home, 1431 W. 29th Street, South Sioux City, NE with Ruth's longtime friend, Lay Minister, Vivian DeRoche officiating. A commitment service will be at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, April 30, 2012 at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City, IA.Ruth was born January 10, 1920 on a farm near Hazen, N.D. via a midwife to Edward and Regina Knecht. Ruth went to a country grade school and two years at Hazen High School. She then moved to Sioux City and graduated from Central High School in 1939.She met and married John Wickham in 1939 and continued to live in Sioux City. Their son, Gary was born September 4, 1943. John suddenly passed away in the night of October 9, 1947. Ruth later married Dolan Anderson on July 3, 1953. They were married for 32 years, until Dolan's death in 1985.Ruth's son, Gary married Karen Simonson in 1964. They were the parents of Anita, Beth and Neil. Gary passed away suddenly while on a family vacation in July, 1973.Ruth and Harlan Giese were introduced to each other by a mutual friend in September of 1991 and they were married on October 10, 1992 at St. John's Lutheran Church by Ruth's brother, the Rev. Paul Knecht. Harlan is a veteran of WW 2 and a professional Civil Engineer. Ruth and Harlan enjoyed traveling and visiting friends and relatives throughout the country.Ruth worked at many clerical positions in Sioux City and was a hostess and cashier at Green Gables and Normandy restaurants. She was also a caregiver to various elderly ladies and did kosher cooking for Marvin Klass and Sam Shapiro.Ruth was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church for many years and was active in church affairs until macular degeneration robbed her of her eyesight.Ruth never forgot a friend and she had friends from almost every state in the nation. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.Ruth is survived by her husband, Harlan H. Giese; former daughter-in-law, Karen Evans; two brothers, Paul Knecht of Richmond, IN and Helmuth Knecht of Hazen, N.D.; a sister, Lillian DiMaggio of Anaheim, CA; grandchildren, Anita (Wickham) and Brian Newhouse of Minneapolis, MN, Bethel (Wickham) and Steve Negri of Litchfield Park, AZ, Dr. Neil and Lori Wickham of Cedar Falls, IA; great-grandchildren, Henry Lee, Eleanor and Willem Newhouse, Andrew Negri, and Brianna and Zachary Wickham; step-grandchildren, Ryan, Emily and April Evans. From Harlan's side of the family there are: Harlan, Jr. of Bettendorf, IA, Mary Giese of Winchester, VA and William and Bonnie Giese and granddaughter, Sarah of Strasburg, VA.Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, John Wickham and Dolan Anderson; son, Gary Wickham; and several brothers and sisters.