In loving memory of Ruth Jessie Black Koch who passed away peacefully Sunday August 13, 2023 at The Village in Indianola, Iowa in her 103rd year.

Ruth was born April 19,1920 in Cleveland, Ohio and became the third daughter of Benjamin James and Ruth France Black. She was born just ten minutes ahead of her twin brother Ben. They joined older sisters Elizabeth and Margaret as a family of six.

Ruth's father was a Methodist minister and as a result of his various assignments, she lived in numerous communities in northeast Ohio. Some of the fondest memories of her youth, however, emanated from summers spent at Lakeside, a Methodist conclave on the shores of Lake Erie in the Sandusky, Ohio area. It was a special place for her and she often recounted the adventures she and her twin brother Ben had there together. It was at Lakeside, during the Methodist Church Conferences held there, that she would find out where the family was moving next.

She began her schooling in Kent, Ohio and graduated from High School in Belleview, Ohio. In between were stops in New Philadelphia, Cleveland, East Glenville, Barberton and Lisbon. She became quite adept at packing up and moving on to the next adventure. A trait that would come in handy throughout her life.

After graduation she enrolled at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. It was here she met the love of her life and future husband Donald Koch. In college Ruth was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, majoring in Home Economics and was active in intramural tennis, basketball and swimming. She once joked she was sure there were peach baskets in the gym where they played.

These were the war years and Ruth went to work at the Aluminum Company of America in support of the war effort. Coincidentally, Donald worked there as well, as a chemist while serving in the National Guard.

Ruth married Donald on October 25th,1941 and thus began a memorable 67-year journey through life together.

Donald changed careers after a short time at the Aluminum Company and returned to school to become a teacher. Ruth was there to support him in whatever way she could. Donald became a H.S. teacher in Brunswick, Ohio and eventually a Professor of Literature at his Alma Mater, Baldwin-Wallace College. Ruth was by his side during all of these transitional years.

Don Jr. was born in 1944, Daniel in 1949 and Richard in1951. Ruth's family was now complete and they were everything to her. She loved her boys and was well suited for the task of being their mom.

In 1959 Ruth and Don packed up the family and moved to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Ruth's packing and transitioning skills were put to the test once again. Donald was awarded a Fulbright Professorship and Ruth set up housekeeping in a foreign land south of the equator and began tutoring her two youngest boys. It was here that her support of her husband and devotion to her family was on full display. She would later say it was a wonderful experience but a little unnerving on occasion.

Traveling became a "thing" for Ruth and Donald. They enjoyed it and continued to travel the rest of their lives. They visited all 50 states and spent time in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Japan.

In 1960 Ruth and Donald moved the family from Ohio to Indianola, Iowa to begin yet another chapter in their life. Ruth handled the move adeptly. The boys asked, where exactly is Iowa?  Donald became the Head of the English Department at Simpson College and Ruth continued in her role as a professor's wife and mother of three boys. A short time after arriving in Indianola Ruth's nurturing and teaching nature manifested itself in her creating, along with a friend, Indianola's first Pre-School. This is who she was. Giving of herself with no expectation of reward.

Ruth belonged to the B.P. of PEO for 40 years. She was also in Simpson Guild, Monday Club and volunteered in the church and for various community causes.

Ruth loved to swim. It was an activity she began during those summers at Lakeside and she continued to do so until she was 82 years old.  Together Ruth and Donald retired in1980 but continued to be involved in the lives of their sons and their families. Family was everything in Ruth's world. In 2008 Ruth and Donald moved into The Village in Indianola. Donald passed away on February 27, 2009. Ruth resided at The Village until her passing August 13, 2023.

Ruth is survived by her three sons Don Jr., Dan and Rick (Chris), seven grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Donald Sr., parents Benjamin James and Ruth France Black, twin brother Ben Black and sisters Elizabeth Henderson and Margaret West, and daughter-in-law Cheryl Koch.

Private family services will be held with inurnment of cremains to be in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Ruth's memory, to the Indianola Public Library.