Ruth E. Lauridsen

Ruth Elaine Lauridsen, the daughter of George and Blanch Waddell Brokaw, was born October 14, 1928, at her parent’s home near Corning, Iowa and died October 6, 2011, at the Carroll Health Center in Carroll, Iowa at the age of 82 years, 11 months and 22 days. Ruth was baptized at a church near Corning and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Audubon, Iowa. She attended rural school near Corning and then later attended Viola School in Viola Center. On January 28, 1947 she was united in marriage to William Benton at the Methodist Church in Audubon. Four children Paulette, Rodney, Katherine and Brent were born to this union. They lived in Audubon and Ruth worked at the dime store and the bakery. They started farming southwest of Viola, later purchasing a farm in Viola Township. William died in a tractor accident on March 6, 1967. The family continued to live on the farm and Ruth was employed at the Viola School as a cook. Later she worked as the secretary for the Gray and Viola Schools. On June 18, 1974, she married Roland E. Lauridsen at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon. They lived in Audubon and after they retired, they enjoyed traveling across the United States and Canada. Roland died June 27, 2004. Ruth lived in Audubon later moving to Carroll, IA. Ruth was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, IA and a member of the women’s Circle. She was a member of the Garden Club, the Viola Women’s Club and a member of several card clubs. Ruth was preceded in death by her husbands William Benton, and Roland Lauridsen; her parents; her sister: Alice Jacobsen; her brothers-in-law Delbert Rasmussen and Guy Huffman. Survivors include her children: Paulette and husband Leon Ditto of Portage, Wisconsin; Rod and wife Sheryl Benton of Audubon, Iowa; Kathy Benton of Brookfield, Wisconsin; Brent and wife Kelly Benton of Glidden, Iowa; her sister Elva Rasmussen of Elk Horn, Iowa; her grandchildren Donita and husband Tom Anderson of West Liberty, Iowa; Darren and wife Lori Ditto of St. Louis, Missouri; Jami Benton of Ankeny, Iowa, Jeremy and wife Mallory Benton of Polk City, Iowa, Staci Benton of Ankeny, Iowa; Mason Dean Benton of Glidden, Iowa; eight great grandchildren; her sisters-in-law Mardell Christoffersen of Audubon, and Bev Huffman of Prosper, Texas; her brother-in-law Virgil and wife Janice Jacobsen of Des Moines, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon, Iowa.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends on Saturday at 12:30 P.M. until the time of the service at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Jud Stover on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at 2:00 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, Iowa.