Dr. Ruth Keraus

Dr. Ruth Keraus, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Monday, February 16, 2009, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Dr. Keraus' body has been cremated. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 20, 2009, beginning at 12:00 noon at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday evening. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant. Inurnment of her ashes will be in the WaKeeney Cemetery in WaKeeney, KS, at a later date. Memorials have been established to the First Presbyterian Church, Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, Iowa Wesleyan College music program and the Henry County Habitat for Humanity. Born September 26, 1932, in Hays, KS, Ruth Kathleen was the daughter of Arthur S. and Velma Ruth (Smith) Keraus. She graduated from high school in WaKeeney, Kansas. She earned her bachelor of arts and bachelor of music education degrees from the College of Emporia (Kansas). She completed her master's degree in music at the University of Michigan and her Ph.D. in music at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. Ruth taught high school instrumental and vocal music at Belle Plain High School (Kansas) and was a Presbyterian missions teacher at Mary Holms Junior College (Mississippi). She joined the Iowa Wesleyan College faculty in 1960 as assistant professor of music. She was named associate professor of music in 1969 and professor of music in 1974. Keraus retired from fulltime teaching in 1997 and was named Professor Emeritus by the Iowa Wesleyan College Board of Trustees in 1998. She continued to teach part-time until 2005. Ruth served as Chair of the Faculty from 1980-84, the first woman to hold that elected position. She served as chair of the Division of Fine Arts from 1984-1996. She served as assistant academic dean 1984-85 and was named acting vice president for academic affairs from August - December 1998. She served on a number of campus committees over the years, including Rank and Tenure, Professional Complaints and Grievances, Academic Standards, Athletics and Forum. She chaired the North Central Accreditation Assessment Committee. Ruth received a number of awards from Iowa Wesleyan College during her career. She was granted the James A. Harlan Award for civic and community service in 1968. The Iowa Wesleyan College Alumni Association awarded her honorary alumnus status 1988. She was selected as J. Raymond Chadwick Teacher of the Year in 1992. She was awarded a certificate of merit for outstanding achievement in the National Recognition Program for Academic Advisors in 1990 for her work in student advising. Ruth served as conductor of the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra from 1961-1987. The Dr. Ruth Keraus Foundation for the Southeast Iowa Symphony was started in her honor at her retirement. She was project author and director for Project STAR, which brought Suzuki teaching techniques for string instruments to elementary schools in Mt. Pleasant, Burlington, Ft. Madison, Keokuk, Muscatine, Washington and WACO. Ruth was a member of the American Association of University Professors, serving five years as the president of the Iowa Wesleyan College chapter. She also served as the organization's vice president for the Iowa Conference in 1994. She was a member of the Iowa Music Educators Association, where she held state office for five years. She was awarded their Distinguished Service Award in 1999. She was also a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the College Band Directors' National Association, the American Symphony Orchestra League and the American School Orchestra Association. She served on the music panel for the Iowa Arts Council for four years. In 1994 Keraus traveled with a delegation to Kuwait and Syria at the invitation of the Iowa Peace Institute. Ruth was active in the Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant, having served as an elder, choir director, Sunday School teacher. She sang in the Westminster Choir and was very active in numerous Presbytery committees. She served as chair of the Presbytery of East Iowa subcommittee on hunger and was a former member of the Advisory Council on Synod Related Colleges for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. She participated with the Southeast Iowa Band and the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, where she played oboe and bassoon. She served on the Mt Pleasant Concert Association Board and was currently president of the governing board of the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra. She was active in the Henry County Habitat for Humanity was the organization's current vice-president of fundraising. She served as a driver for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. She was a member of Chapter Original A., P.E.O., the Mt. Pleasant Women's Club and was an avid golfer. Survivors include her two sisters, Ellen Wiedeman of Littleton, CO, and Margaret (Bob) Magill of Lakewood, CO; a brother-in-law, Ron Roberts of Camdenton, MO; three nieces, Karlyn Thayer, Kathy Tennison and Ann Roberts-Weigert; three nephews, Doug Wiedeman, Jim Magill and Andy Roberts. Also surviving are numerous great nieces and great nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Janice Roberts and by a niece, Susan Magill.