Individual Details

Ruth Pauline Roenfeld

(5 Jun 1927 - 3 May 2008)

Ruth Pauline Sell, 80, of Glenwood, Iowa, entered into eternal rest on May 3, 2008 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She was born June 5, 1927 in Mills County, Iowa to Charles Fredrick and Clara Louise (Miller) Roenfeld. 

Ruth was raised on the 100 Year Century family farm and they were members of the 100 Year Bank. She attended West Liberty #1 rural school and later came to Glenwood where she caught the eye of many young men, however, Duane was the lucky guy who captured Ruth's heart. She was a flag twirler for three years and graduated in 1945 from Glenwood High School with a normal training certificate. On September 7, 1945, she was united in marriage to Duane Nelson Sell. To this union four children were born, Deborah Ann, Michael Duane, Steven Charles and Teresa Louise. 

Ruth taught at the Vogler School in Mineola for two years before beginning her family. She thoroughly enjoyed her role as a homemaker following her teaching career and played an important part of the family farm as well. She butchered many chickens, made the best lime pickles in Mills County and was later honored as Homemaker of the Year. Ruth was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola, where she also taught Sunday School for many years. She was a member of Aksarben and dedicated 4-H leader and loved attending fairs. She passed this on to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed watching them show livestock and share their projects and awards with her. Ruth loved six on six girls basketball, listening to good music, flowers, especially red roses, shopping, going out to eat with the Breakfast Club and playing cards with the same friends for over 61 years. Ruth dipped her toes in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and enjoyed traveling, but didn't want to be gone from home more than two weeks. Her home and her family were very special to her. 

Ruth's love for youth was also shared with 27 foster children through the years. She loved all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and took special care of looking after the youngest to make sure they felt secure. Her warm smile and caring ways will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. 

Preceding Ruth in death were her parents and two sisters. She is survived by her husband Duane Sell; children, Deborah Ann and husband Joe Taylor; Michael Duane and wife Mary Ann Sell; Steven Charles and wife Judy Sell all of Glenwood, IA; Teresa Louise and husband Mark Buckingham of Pacific Junction, IA; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Rozetta and husband Charles Burson of Glenwood, IA; Delores Williams of Silver City, IA; several nieces, nephews, extended relatives and a host of friends. 

Events

Birth5 Jun 1927Mills County, Iowa
Marriage7 Sep 1945Mineola, Mills County, Iowa - Duane Nelson Sell
Death3 May 2008Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa
BurialMineola Cemetery, Mills County, Iowa

Families

SpouseDuane Nelson Sell (1924 - 2009)

Endnotes