Calkins, Ruth Winifred Robinson (1920-2012)

CALKINS, ROBINSON, ATKINSON, WUBBENA, SLAGHT, TJARKS

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 3/14/2020 at 15:29:14

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, April 30, 2012/Linns Funeral Home website

Ruth Calkins, 92, of Iowa Falls, Iowa, passed away Friday, April 27, 2012, at Scenic Manor, Iowa Falls. Ruth donated her body to the University of Des Moines for medical advancement. A memorial service for Ruth Calkins will be held 10:30 am Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at the First Congregational Church, 520 College Avenue, Iowa Falls. Memorials may be directed to the First Congregational Church or the Calkins Nature Center, 18335 135TH Street, Iowa Falls, Iowa 50156 OR C/O the family at 15383 JJ Avenue, Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126. The Linn's Funeral Homes Iowa Falls Chapel helped Ruth register with the University and is conducting the arrangements.

Ruth Winifred Robinson was born on her grandparents' farm west of Iowa Falls on March 26, 1920. She was the daughter of Ralph Benjamin and Laura Mae [Atkinson] Robinson. Ruth was raised on a farm near Dundee, Minnesota. In 1933, at the height of the depression, her family returned to the Iowa farm to live with her grandparents. Ruth graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1939. She married Homer Calkins on March 24, 1940, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.
Ruth lived with her husband on their farm for over 50 years where she was a homemaker. She worked for 14 years as a nurse's aide at Ellsworth Municipal Hospital and later as a home health care worker. After leaving the farm for a small house on the west side of Iowa Falls near Pineview Elementary School, she volunteered in a classroom helping students learn to read. Ruth was a long time member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Iowa Falls, contributing her time and energy in many ways. She also volunteered for the Red Cross, the Christian Women's Thrift Store, Iowa Falls Nutrition Site and the Community Theatre. Ruth's children have many favorite memories of their mother including the way she surrounding them with a wealth of books and music. She also maintained a huge garden, canning and freezing its bounty. Ruth and Homer donated their farm to Ellsworth Community College in 1981.
She is survived by her daughter: Marilyn Calkins of Iowa City; four sons: Don Calkins of Great Falls, Montana, Mark Calkins of Des Moines, Jim (Jill) Calkins of Iowa City, and Jeff (Sue) Calkins of Tunas, Missouri; grandchildren Dawn Calkins, Jana Calkins, Karl Calkins, James Calkins, Ted Calkins, Paul Calkins, Rebecca Wubbena, Laurie Slaght, Steve Tjarks, Mike Tjarks, John Tjarks, Ashley Calkins, Caleb Calkins, Claire Calkins, Justin Calkins, Kyle Calkins; many great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Homer Calkins; brothers: Donald Robinson and Glenn Robinson; her daughter-in-law, Karen (Mrs. Mark) Calkins; and son, Theodore Ralph Calkins.