Florence Ruth (Anderson) Louth Obituary (1924

Florence Ruth Anderson Louth, 90, of Fairfield, formerly of Birmingham, died at 1:55 A.M. Wednesday December 31, 2014 at Jefferson County Health Center, Fairfield. She had resided at Sunnybrook Assisted Living since 2006. She was born January 19, 1924 in Birmingham to Zachariah and Verda Sadler Anderson and married Elmer Louth March 20, 1942 in Kahoka, MO. Florence retired from the United Postal Service in 1988 after 20 years of service. She was a member of Birmingham United Methodist Church, Birmingham United Methodist Women, Order of Eastern Star, Chapter No. 549, Ollie, White Shrine, Ottumwa and Birmingham American Legion Auxiliary. Florence played bridge night and afternoon with bridge clubs in Birmingham for more than 50 years. She traveled with Elmer throughout the state during his two terms as a Masonic grand officer. Florence was a wonderful cook, enjoyed fishing, gardening, hunting mushrooms, gathering hickory nuts and preserving the fruits of her labor. Most of all she loved being with family including her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and hosting family events. In addition to her husband, Elmer she is survived by four children, Linda (Bill) Gerdes of Washington, Ruth Louth of Mt. Pleasant, Terri (Greg) Grover of Cedar Falls, and Wilson (Laurie) Louth of Dickson, TN, eight grandchildren, Erica (Grant) Venema of Geneseo, IL, David Powell of Rock Island, IL, Rachel Grover of Mt. Pleasant, Lauren, Willie, Jordan, Hannah and Payton Louth of Dickson, TN, three step-grandchildren, Lori Hitchcock of Athens, GA, Randy Powell of Akron, OH and Rob Gerdes of Topeka, KS, six great-grandchildren, Dylan, Cody and Kellan Powell, Thane, Cora and Elsie Venema, seven step great-grandchildren, Ashley Gerdes, Joseph, Jonathon, Jim and Ivy Hitchcock and Carly and Abby Powell. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Veryl Anderson, Frederic Anderson and Ross Anderson, and three sisters, Vada Shott, Helen Lind and Margaret Lovedy. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday January 3, 2015 at the Birmingham United Methodist Church with Pastors Herb Shafer and Larry Smith officiating. Visitation will open at 4 P.M. Friday at the church with family present from 5-7 P.M. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Fairfield. Memorials to Birmingham United Methodist Church may be left at the church or mailed to the family at 3000 West Madison Ave. Apt. 412, Fairfield, IA 52556