Ruth Caswell

Rock Rapids, IA          Click Here To Watch Tribute Video and Funeral Service

     Ruth Caswell age 93, of Rock Rapids, IA died Sunday, February 13, 2022, at Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids, IA.

     Funeral service will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, February 19^th at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Pastor Amy Ryals officiating.  Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.

     Visitation will be Saturday, February 19^th from 10:00 to 12:30 PM at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids.

     In lieu of flowers please memorials may be directed to the Lyon County Historical Society and/or a charity of your choice.

     Ruth Matilda (Bonnema) Caswell was born April 3, 1928, to Jerry and Bessie (Van Dahm) Bonnema in Sioux County, IA between Hawarden and Sioux Center. She attended country school.  When her father purchased a farm located in Rock Rapids City limits, she continued her education in 7^th grade and graduated from Rock Rapids High School in 1946.  During her youth she worked at various places such as, the Lyon County Courthouse as a court reporter, at the ration office during the WWII, and pressing dresses at JC Penny Store. After graduating, she worked for Pettengill Lumber Company.

     Ruth was united in marriage to George Caswell on October 24, 1947, at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. She and George were blessed with seven children. They started out farming near Lester where they farmed from 1949 to 1957. The Caswell family became the second owner of the Ward Merrill farmstead, where they raised their children and farmed until retiring. Ruth reported the local news on KIWA for twenty-one years, a time she was thankful for because of the friends she made and the contact with the local businesses selling advertising.

     She was a member of the First Reformed Church, Joy Circle, serving on the Women’s Ministry in Synod Classis as well as on local levels and taught Sunday School for many years. She also served on the Lyon County Historical Society serving as board president, and the Northwest Aging Association, where she was a member of the Older Iowa Legislature at Des Moines in the State Capitol Building.

     She was thankful to God for her good life and especially for His gift of her family and His love for them all.

     Ruth passed away this past Sunday, February 13, 2022, at Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids, at the age of 93.

     She is survived by her seven children: Bill (Phyllis) Caswell of Clive, IA, Karen (Jim) Long of Maplewood, MN, Jerry Caswell of Rock Rapids, IA, Pam (Dennis) Rode of Truman, MN, Linda (Bob) Stellinga of Sheldon, IA, Lori (Rich) DeBuhr of Rock Rapids, IA and Bob (Kim) Caswell of Brandon, SD. She was also survived by twelve grandchildren: Matthew (Sarah) Caswell, Tom (Jennifer) Caswell, James (Rosalyn) Rode, Emily (Kyle) Langer, Susan Stellinga, Joe (Lindsay) Stellinga, Jeff (Erin) Stellinga, Tracy (Eric) Breuer, Michelle (Mac) McDowell, Craig (Amy) Caswell, Kearstin (Dave) Rude and Brent Caswell, along with twenty-four great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Leora Bonnema of Inwood, IA, and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     She was preceded by her parents, Jerry and Bessie Bonnema, her husband of 58 years, George Caswell, four brothers, Richard, Jay (Jennie), Robert (Edith) and Lawrence (Dorothy), and her grandson-in-law, Christopher Kannegieter.

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