Mary Ruggles

Mary M. Denney Ruggles, 83, of Anita, Iowa, passed away Monday, October 22, 2007, at Colonial Manor in Anita.

Mary Marie Denney Ruggles was born on March 24, 1924, in Exira, Iowa, the daughter of Wesley and Laura Nielsen Chase.

She attended school in Exira and graduated from Exira High School in 1942.

On July 23, 1942, Mary married Harry Denney. After their wedding they moved to a farm south of Anita where they had nine children. While living on the farm, Mary was a member of the Lazy Ladies Farm Club. Two years after Harry's death in 1969, Mary and the children moved to Anita where Mary worked various jobs and babysat. On May 18, 1985, she was united in marriage to Ed Ruggles.

Although Mary worked various jobs, she spent most of her time being a housewife. She enjoyed spending time with children and especially her own grandchildren. She was willing to babysit whenever asked. Mary's greatest love was her church and children.

She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Brayton. Mary donated her time to Bible School, Sunday School and Awana Kids Club.

Mary is survived by her husband, Ed Ruggles of Marshalltown, Iowa; children, Ron Denney and his wife, Wyoma of Anita, Iowa, Tom Denney and his wife, Ardy of Elgin, Iowa, Howard Denney and his wife, Mary of Osceola, Iowa, Joe Denney and his wife, Diane of Anita, Iowa, Tim Denney and his wife, Liz of Atlantic, Iowa, Cindy Blaine and her husband, John of Massena, Iowa, Jim Denney and his wife, Leeann of Anita, Iowa, and Becky Ronfeldt and her husband, Tim of Anita, Iowa; grandchildren, Krista Simmer, Jon and Frank Denney, Beth Muilenberg, Seth Denney, Matthew, Trenton, Bernie, Tevyn and Amantha Denney, Ashley Dougherty, Quinn, Estel, Nina and Jad Denney, Alicia and Alex Denney, Trevor and Tyler Oberholtz, Justin, Jerrid and Chance Denney, and Mindi and Mandi Ronfeldt; 16 great-grandchildren; brothers, Wayne Chase and his wife, Barb of Monona, Wisconsin and Gerald Chase and his wife, Janice of Rogers, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Helen Chase; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Wesley and Laura Chase; stepdad, Don Smith; husband, Harry Denney; son, Clifford in infancy; granddaughter, Jessica Denney; sister, Nellie Nelson; and brother, James "Bud" Chase.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m., Friday, October 26, 2007, at the First Baptist Church in Brayton, Iowa. The family invites you to join them for a luncheon, immediately following the funeral service, in the church fellowship hall.

Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, Iowa, at 4:00 p.m.

Visitation will be from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 25, 2007, at the Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The family suggests memorials to the First Baptist Church of Brayton Children's Ministry.

Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.