White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Ruth Lentzkow, age 97, of Independence, IA died of natural causes on April 28,2020 at Prairie Hills Assisted Living, where she has resided for the past 4 years. She was born on October 29, 1922 in Hazelton, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Ethel Moore. She graduated from Independence High School in 1941. On May 11, 1944 she married Oscar Lentzkow at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence, of which she is still a member. Two children were born to this union: John and Jane.

She loved spending time with her family. Ruth was a Cub Scout leader, a member of the Buchanan County Health Center Auxiliary, a bowler for many years, and also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW for over 75 years in Independence.  Ruth worked at Dairy Queen when it first opened on Main Street in Independence.  Upon graduation from high school, she worked at Rath’s Packing plant in Waterloo in the office, while Oscar was in the Army.  She also worked at the Independence Elementary Schools hot lunch program, and cleaned houses.  She was employed at the Independence hospital kitchen for 16 years.  Ruth also volunteered at the gift shop in the Independence Hospital.  Oscar and Ruth moved to Arkansas from 1981 - 1997, and then moved back to Independence. She loved her flowers, and knitting, especially making baby blankets for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ruth really enjoyed playing 500 and pepper at the senior center.  Oscar and Ruth loved to go to Minnesota and Canada fishing, making it a yearly event.

Ruth is survived by her children, John (Robin) Lentzkow of Marion; Jane (Dean) Stickrod of Ames; 4 grandchildren: Jonathen Lentzkow of Marion; Jill (Spencer) Smith of Huxley; Jeff (Lexsea) Stickrod of Bellevue; Joel Stickrod of Nashville, TN; 7 great-grandchildren: Chloe, Landon, Breven, and Griffin Smith of Huxley, and Hudson, Jackson, and Adelyn Stickrod of Bellevue;  brother, Frank Moore of Cresco; Robin Lentzkow’s extended family, son Austin (Lori) Moore of Oelwein (and 3 children), and daughter Stephanie (Chris) Castillo of MS (and 2 children), and several nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by husband, Oscar; parents, Frank and Ethel Moore; three sons who died at birth, Jerry, Larry and Frank; sisters Bessie McNulty, Mary Kimball, and Mabel Kuper.

Due to the CDC Guidelines regarding COVID-19, a private family graveside service will be held at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  A Celebration of Life will be held once the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral Home of Independence. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for their choice of distribution at a later date.