Ruth Ann Spear Thuente

May 9, 1931 May 3, 2015



Ruth Ann Spear Thuente, long time Algona resident, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2015 at Bickford Cottage of Urbandale Assisted Living Center at the age of 83. Graveside services for the family will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at the Riverview Cemetery in Algona, IA. A celebrate of life lunch will be held at 11:45 a.m. on May 12, 2015 at the Algona Senior Center, South Room.



Ruth Ann Spear, daughter of Sidney Spear and Bertha Hans Lattimer Spear, was born on

May 9, 1931 in Algona, IA. Growing up, Ruth had 5 sisters and a brother and would sometimes help her dad drive a mule team in his road grading and excavating business. After high school Ruth graduated from St. Catherines School of Nursing at Creighton University in Omaha, NE.



It was during high school that Ruth met the boy who was to be her future husband, Gerald (Jerry) Roderick Thuente, when he moved to Algona from Spencer, IA. His new home was only a block west of where Ruth lived. They were married on December 27, 1954.



Ruth worked as a nurse (obstetrics, emergency, surgical, private duty, floor supervisor) until she and her husband, Jerry, purchased Thuente Pharmacy from Jerrys father in 1966. For 15 years, Ruth worked side-by-side with Jerry in the pharmacy. After her husband died, Ruth sold the business and went back to nursing, this time as a nurse at the Good Samaritan Center in Algona.



As a business owner, Ruth was actively engaged with the Algona Chamber of Commerce and was the first female to ever serve on the Chamber Board. She also volunteered and served of the boards for a variety of organizations such as Catholic Daughters of America, St. Cecelias religious education program, Kossuth County American Red Cross, Kossuth Regional Health Center Auxiliary, R. S. V. P. (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program), and Door Openers. For many years, Ruth kept the Red Cross Aquatics program operating for Kossuth Countyordering books and materials, signing progress certificates, collecting and depositing fees, and handling radio and newspaper promotions.



After retiring from nursing, Ruth had time for her interests and hobbies: volunteering, gardening, sewing, and refinishing furniture.



Left to cherish her memory are her four children: Kimberly Thuente of Urbandale, IA, Jo Duben of Des Moines, IA, Lynn Thuente of St. Joseph, MO, and Jerry Thuente of Laramie, WY. Ruth also leaves behind her two cherished granddaughters: Molly Duben of Des Moines, IA and Elsa Thuente of Steamboat Springs, CO; many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and one remaining sister-in-law, Illa (Elmer) Lattimer of Penn Valley, CA.



She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald; her parents; parent-in-laws; siblings: Sherry (Clyde) Lloyd, June (Don) Beshey, Elnora (Hank) Bartels, Lorraine (Jesse) Riddle, Betty (Herb) Bartels, and Elmer Lattimer; and sisters-in law: Esther Thuente and Jackie (William) Sangwin.



Memorials can be made to the Algona Public Library. Condolences can be sent to kathuente@gmail.com.