Mattie "Ruth" Brown Obituary (1930 - 2023)

Mattie Ruth Brown, fondly known as Ruth, passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on October 2, 2023, at the Jefferson County Health Center in Fairfield. She was born on May 18, 1930, in Van Buren County near Stockport to Max McGrew and Mattie Rosannah Hummell Waters. Ruth spent her early years in Stockport until the age of 6 when her family moved to the Blakesburg area. She completed her basic education at the country Prairie School and graduated from Blakesburg High School in 1949. Subsequently, Ruth attended Iowa Success business college in Ottumwa and embarked on her professional journey as a secretary/receptionist for a construction company in Ottumwa for seven years. On September 4, 1957, Ruth married Gerald Austin Brown at the St. Mary Rectory in Fairfield and began a new chapter in her life as a farm wife and homemaker. In 1958, Ruth and Gerald bought a house in Batavia, and in 1971, they moved to their own farm north of Batavia. Ruth was an integral part of the farm's operations, known for her exceptional care and nurturing of her family and the farm. She was lovingly nicknamed "Chuckwagon" for her dedication to feeding meals in the field from her camper. Ruth's passions included mowing, gardening, reading, and genealogy research. Ruth was a former member of the Altar and Rosary Society, a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendents, Batavia Women's Book Club, and St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ottumwa. Ruth's memory will be cherished by her children, Rosemary Carder (Bill) of Indianola, Jeff Brown (Amy) of Indianola, Ellen Brown of Cedar Rapids; a brother, Bill Waters (Maddy) of San Juan Capistrano, CA; a sister, Dorothy Waters of Urbandale; two grandchildren, Alex Carder (Lauren) of Urbandale and Alison Young (Brad) of Polk City; as well as several nieces, nephews, and a multitude of friends, including special friends Pat and Tracy Hammes. Ruth was preceded in death by her loving husband; her parents; her brother, Wayne Waters and her stillborn brother, Jerry Lee Waters; her sisters-in-law, Barb Brown, Betty Fenn, and Joyce Waters; and her brothers-in-law, Bill Brown and Ken Fenn. Visitation with family will be on Sunday October 8, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield. A funeral service will be at 10:30 AM on Monday October 9, 2023 at Cranston Family Funeral Home with Father Nick Adam officiating. The burial will be in Batavia Cemetery immediately following the service. Memorials in Ruth's honor to Jefferson County Health Center or Compassus hospice of Washington may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at 19025 Hwy 69, Indianola, IA 50125. Friends may leave online condolences and view the livestream of the service at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com