Ruth E. Oldsen

October 17, 1911 - April 19, 2015

Ruth Evelyn (Dunkelberg) Oldsen passed away on April 19, 2015 at the age of 103. She was born on October 17, 1911 on the family farm in Rockford, Iowa to Ray and Laura Dunkelberg. Her siblings were Margaret (Rusty), George and Mary, all who predeceased her. She lived her first 90 years in Rockford before moving to Columbus to be near family. She graduated from Rockford High School in 1929 and from Iowa State Teachers College in 1931 with an emphasis in Home Economics. She taught school in Orchard, Iowa for 3 years before marrying the love of her life John Paul “Doc” Oldsen on her family’s farm on June 30, 1934. “Doc” was the Rockford veterinarian. She and Doc were married nearly 49 years when he passed away in 1983. Three children were born to them – Laura Margaret (an infant who died at birth), surviving children are Evelyn of Fishers, Indiana and Carl of Worthington, Ohio. Granddaughters: Lynne (John) Miller and Anne (Todd) Rose, great grandchildren: Thomas Miller, Megan Rose and Mitchell Rose, all of Columbus, and Pat (Brady) Wilson and Leanne Ward as daughters in law. She is survived by numerous dear nieces, nephews, and cousins in California, Colorado, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina and Utah and the many amazing friends she made and enjoyed throughout her life. Ruth loved being with her family. She was a conscientious daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, great grandmother, caregiver, and contributor to her family. She was an active partner in her husband’s vet practice, a Cub Scout Den mother, an avid seamstress and knitter, and member of the PEO Sisterhood since 1931. She was an active and faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Rockford, serving on many committees, boards and as a Sunday school teacher. She loved being around and helping children. Her love of reading encouraged her love for travel to Alaska, Hawaii, Jamaica, Russia and Europe with Doc and her family. But what she loved most was reminiscing about good times spent with friends. She could be counted on to know who lived in each house, its history and how they fit into the fabric of the town. The town’s Historical Society is now housed in Doc’s former veterinarian office. Memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday June 15, 2015 at Rockford First United Methodist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Judy Wooton. Visitation will be one hour prior to services and inurnment will be held in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, Iowa. Memorial contributions can be made to the United Methodist Church of Rockford, P.O. Box 556, Rockford, Iowa 50468. To share a special memory with her family, please visit www.Fullertonfh.com or Facebook/Fullertonfuneralhomes