Ruth E. Danniel
Born: September 6th, 1922
Died: December 22nd, 2015
Obituary
Ruth E. Danniel, 93, of West Burlington, died at 7:10 pm Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at the Great River Klein Center in West Burlington.
Born September 6, 1922, in Burlington, IA, she was the daughter of Railway Express Agent Herbert Leslie and Eleanor Hegla Victoria Swanson Rockenbach, a registered nurse.
On Father’s Day June 16, 1946, she married Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Engineer Vanus Maynard (Dan) Danniel in Burlington, Iowa, on an afternoon when the temperature reached 106º. Dan died June 22, 1987.
Ruth was a piano and organ teacher. Starting at the age of 14, she taught hundreds of students until her retirement at age 89. She loved introducing her students, including adults, to music and helped nurture a joy and appreciation for music of all types. As a result, many families became part of her life and music family.
She loved her family and friends at West Hill Methodist Church where she was its longest member. She not only believed, she lived her faith as well. She taught Sunday School for 17 years and was a member of various church circles. She played piano and organ for many church services and events. Even though a devout member of West Hill Methodist Church, Ruth sang in the Cantata at First Presbyterian Church and filled in as organist at many local churches and played for area nursing home residents.
Ruth was a member of the E.C. Blackmar Chapter of The Order of Eastern Star and held the office of Faith, Hope And Charity before becoming a Worthy Advisor for The Eastern Star Rainbow Girls. Her parents taught her the importance of mission work and carried forth with efforts supporting and donating to missions her entire life.
Ruth was a homemaker, Cub Scout Den Mother, Brownie Scout leader, active volunteer in Burlington Civic Music Association and was a Northwestern Bell Telephone operator and was working on December 7, 1941 when Pearl Harbor was attacked. She also worked at the Jefferson Hat Shop. She was a member of Supper Club, a group of women that met in junior high school and met for dinner their entire lives sharing with each other life’s events.
She was a very compassionate and loving person who cared deeply for the well being of animals. Many dogs and cats along with a raccoon and rabbits found safe shelter at the Danniel house. There were mornings Ruth would prepare 2-3 batches of pancakes so all the dogs would have a special breakfast treat. She enjoyed feeding the birds and watching the deer in her backyard.
Ruth loved the staff at Klein Center and was very appreciative for the kind, wonderful care and support they gave her during her stay.
Survivors include one daughter, Melanie Danniel of Phoenix, Arizona; one son, Randall Danniel and his fiancé Marian of West Burlington, Iowa; one sister; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; one brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Mary Jean Rockenbach; and one brother-and-sister-in-law Charles and Maleta (Danniel) Nelson.
Friends may call on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015 after 12:00 noon with the family receiving friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Prugh's Chapel, 317 N. 4th St.
The funeral service for Mrs. Danniel will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, at West Hill United Methodist Church with Rev. David Bracht-Wagner and Chaplain David Plooster officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time-honored tradition of a church basement luncheon will follow.
Ruth loved the color pink. In her memory, please wear anything pink.
Memorials have been established for West Hill United Methodist Church, Des Moines County Humane Society and PAWS Ft. Madison Animal Shelter. Condolences may be left at www.prughthielencares.com. Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.