Ruth J. (Daggett) Sheehan

Ruth Sheehan, 98, of Clarion passed away Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services for Ruth Sheehan will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 1:30 PM at First United Methodist Church, 201 3rd Avenue North East, in Clarion with Pastor Don Morrison officiating.  Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East, in Clarion and will continue one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Thursday.

Ruth Jeanette (Daggett) Sheehan was born March 18, 1915 to Harry and Nora (Gangstead) Daggett in Iowa City.

Ruth graduated from Clarion High School in 1933 and worked for the Northwestern Bell telephone service in Clarion following high school.

Ruth was united in marriage to Paul R. Sheehan on June 17, 1939 at Spencer, Iowa.  Paul operated a laundry in Armstrong, Iowa and the couple later moved to Spencer, Des Moines and Iowa Falls before settling in Clarion in 1943.

Ruth worked at the Clarion Hospital for 26 years as a nurses aid, assisting in the delivery of countless babies, including her eldest granddaughter Anita, as well as working on the floor in the hospital until her retirement.

Ruth was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarion where she served on one of the circles.  She was also a past member of the Rebekah Lodge in Clarion.

Ruth enjoyed playing cards, especially 500, sponge painting, knitting and crocheting, having crocheted blankets for each of her children and grandchildren.  She also loved flower gardening, cooking and baking, especially kumla, kringla, and chicken and noodles from scratch.  Most of all, she took great pride in her family and enjoyed spending time with all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ruth is survived by her children Lanora (Don) Boggess of Cedar Falls, Jean (Ron) Brooks of Rowan, Pauline Michels of Des Moines, John (Candy) Sheehan of Clarion, Kathy Steen of Cedar Falls and Michael (Cynthia) Sheehan of Cedar Falls; grandchildren Anita (Jerry) Boland, Brenda (Jamie) Swanson, Chris Sheehan, James (Nickie) Michels, Kevin Brooks, Shelly (Mark) Murray, Matt (Jennifer) Sheehan, Teresa Olsen, Diana Michels, Gina (Kevin) Jaeger, Melissa (John) Sifert, Scott (Kimberly) Sheehan, Joe (Jennifer) Sheehan, Stephan (Monica) Brooks, Katie (Andy Meyer) Sheehan, Todd (Eileen) Boggess and Marc (Becky) Boggess; 35 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Darlene Daggett of Cedar Rapids; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband Paul in 1992, sons Dennis and Nick Sheehan, granddaughter Amanda Sheehan, grandson Jeff Steen, great-grandchild Jesse Lynn Swanson, sister Helen Bloomfield, brothers George and Floyd Daggett, daughter-in-law Linda Sheehan.