Ruth Ann Fransen, 84, of Peosta, Iowa, passed peacefully into eternal life on December 16, 2025. 

A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Peosta, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, is assisting the family.

Born on March 21, 1941, in Key West to Ralph and Rita (Loes) Linden, Ruth grew up in a loving family rooted in faith, community, and hard work. She attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Key West, ICA for high school, and later earned her CNA degree from NICC.  On November 23, 1961, Ruth married the love of her life, Paul Fransen, at St. Joseph’s Church in Key West. Together they welcomed six children and built a lively, joyful household where faith, love, and laughter were always abundant.  In addition to her dedication to family, Ruth worked as a parts clerk at Air Cooled Engines and later as a CNA at Mt. Loretto. 

Ruth’s deep Catholic faith was the guiding force of her life. She attended daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and The Power of Prayer. Her commitment to protecting life was steadfast. She was a lifelong member of Dubuque County Right to Life, helped provide video content for local cable programming, and was an original member of Birthright. Her quiet, consistent advocacy touched countless lives.

Ruth loved running, music, and gardening—each offering a different outlet for her creativity and energy. An avid runner well into her later years, Ruth found joy and purpose on the roads and trails around Dubuque. One of her proudest athletic moments came at age 70, when she placed second in her age group among a field of more than 16,000 runners—a testament to her determination, discipline, and zest for life.

Music was another of Ruth’s greatest gifts. She taught piano to children in her neighborhood, performed in the Xavier Follies, and volunteered her talents at the Barn Community Theatre. Her gardens were legendary—beautiful, bountiful, and generously shared. She delighted in giving away more of her harvest than she kept, a reflection of her instinct to give freely and without fanfare.

Ruth is survived by her devoted husband of 64 years, Paul Fransen; her sisters Nancy Dorr and Peggy Lippe; her six children and their families: Lisa Cottrell of Peosta, IA (children Hunter Cottrell and Jamie (Anthony) Linder, and grandson Mason Linder); Brett Fransen of Peosta, IA; Paul (Karen) Fransen of Walton, KY, and their children Phoebe (Bryan) Johnson, Kierstin, Peyton, and Aubrey; Curt (Suzanne) Fransen of Dubuque, IA, and their children Ryan, Brenna, and Olivia; Aaron (Kim) Fransen of St. Louis, MO, and their children Drew, Nathan, and Wes; and Maggie (Jason) Grommon of Madison, WI, and their children Jacob, Caitlin, Colin, and Abbie. She is also survived by her foster-daughter Jane Weber.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Mary Lou and Joan; her brothers Hank and William; her sister-in-law Carol Hemesath; and her brothers-in-law Gerald Hemesath, Dick Dorr, and Greg Lippe.

Ruth’s life was one of quiet generosity, faith-filled devotion, and unconditional love for her family and community. She will be remembered for her gentle humor, her musical spirit, her beautiful gardens, and the countless ways she gave of herself.

May she rest joyfully in God’s eternal embrace.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. The family would like to offer a note of heartfelt thanks to Hospice of Dubuque for their care and compassion over these past months.