Ruth Zehr

Mrs. Ruth Zehr was a caring wife, mother, grandmother and friend. After leading a full life of heroism, strength, love and peace; she passed away peacefully in her sleep, at the age of 96 on August 17, 2024.

Ruth was born February 7th, 1928, in Frankfurt-Main, West Germany, to Karl Siegler and Emma Von Muschenheim-Siegler. She attended grade school in Frankfurt-Main, Germany and graduated from High School in Prague, Czechoslovakia. She continued her education at the University of Prague.

In the years to come, she went through some unfathomable times that shaped her into the woman that lived her life to the fullest and loved her family with every breath she took. After World War II ended, Ruth and her family were forcefully removed from Czechoslovakia in the Prague Death March. They were marched to a Concentration Camp in Lissa, where she was confined and held captive. She lived through things others couldn’t imagine. She spread her story and her legacy, as a holocaust survivor. She was a true hero. 

On August 17, 1947, she met the love of her life, Wayne LaMonte Zehr. They would fall deeply in love and the two become engaged on Christmas Eve, 1947. On December 1, 1949, they would have their civil ceremony in Frankfurt-Main, Germany. A few short days later, on December 4th, at the Eckenheim Lutheran Church, they exchanged their wedding vows before God and their loved ones. On May 4th, 1950, she left the only country she knew behind and began a new life with her husband by her side. In the next few years, they completed their family and welcomed a son and a daughter. Her heart was full of joy. 

Ruth was a long-time resident of the Keota community and was well known by many that she knew and loved. She would often be found supporting local events, local businesses, the Keota Eagles and her Iowa Hawkeyes. She lived her best life in the “Greatest Country in the World.”

She was a member of the Keota United Methodist Church; the Keota United Church of Faith; the Keota United Methodist Women; Past Officer, Order of the Eastern Star, Rebekah Lodge; Fortnightly Club and Keota Library Trustee. She was librarian at the Wilson Memorial Library for 11 years and worked at the Keota Farmers Savings Bank for 15 years. Ruth enjoyed traveling the world, reading, quilting, knitting, crocheting, golfing with her husband and most of all, her loving family.

Ruth was reunited with her loving husband, Wayne Zehr; her Granddaughter, Lisa Cutchens; her parents, Karl Siegler and Emma Siegler; and her siblings Lotti Leitermann and Helmuth Siegler. 

She is survived by her children: Fred (Joann) Zehr and Deanna (John) Heisdorffer. Her Grandchildren: Jessica Carson; Justin Zehr; (Robert) Cutchens; Jody (Kent) Burns and Chris (Hannah) Heisdorffer. Her Great Grandchildren: Connor Carson; Addison Carson; Webber Zehr; Jameson Zehr; Dylan (Bianca) Cutchens; Keenan Cutchens; Ashley (Jordan) Foreman; Austin Burns; Colin Burns; Emma Burns; Jackson Burns; Halle Heisdorffer; Xander Myers and Ryker Myers. Her Great Great Grandchildren: Elisa Cutchens; Norah Foreman and Milo Foreman and Her Sister-In-Law: Deidre Zehr. 

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the United Church of Faith in Keota. Burial will be at Keota Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, at the church.

A general memorial fund has been established. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Ruth and her family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.