Ruth Ann (Keller) Neyens, 97, of Dubuque took her last earthly breath on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Hawkeye Care Center, resting in the arms of her sweet angel, great-granddaughter, Jenna Samson.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until 10:45 am on Friday, November 29, 2024 at Holy Spirit Parish – Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Ruth will be 11:00 am Friday, November 29, 2024, at Holy Spirit Parish – Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Steven Garner as the Celebrant. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque.

Ruth was born November 1, 1927, the daughter of O.J. and Iris (Wilmot) Keller, with an independent heart, competitive spirit, and the athleticism to go along with it. Ruth would be found regularly excelling on the ball fields, running the court in basketball games, and dominating the lanes when she bowled.

Life changed for Ruth when she hitched a ride with her friend’s cute cousin. Ruth jumped in the front seat next to Ed Neyens and true love took over from there. Ruth and Ed were joined in holy matrimony on January 17, 1948, and were lucky to continue to celebrate their love for the next 70 years. Their marriage was blessed with five children: Sandra (Herk) Hammerand of Dubuque; Edward (Debby) Neyens Jr. of Scottsdale, AZ; Susan (Joseph) Haas of Dubuque; Larry (Tina) Neyens of Marion, IA; Mark (Jaclyn) Neyens of Hiawatha, IA.

Ruth and Ed spent their many years together devoted to their family and friends. They traveled the country after retirement creating adventures and leaving a trail of friends in almost every state. Ruth loved getting their travel books out filled with people they met along the way and relished telling her kids and grandkids stories to go along with each name.

Ruth adored her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her great-great-grandchildren, but Ed was her life. Her life changed again when Ed passed away on December 10, 2017. She has spent the years since longing to see him again. During that time, a special bond was created between Ruth and her great-granddaughter Jenna. Jenna could calm her when others couldn’t, could get her to smile and laugh, and show her feisty side on occasion. Jenna’s love, constant care, and commitment to Ruth is appreciated by all of Ruth’s family.

Those left to cherish Ruth’s memory include her five children, 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren with one on the way. Ruth’s siblings: Olive (Al) Wolter; Helen Gourley; Peter (Joan) Keller; and John (Marilyn) Keller.

In addition to her adoring husband, Ed, Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and in-laws: Dorothy and Mickey Marty; Dolores (Toots) and Don Jungblut; Carol Keller; Cpl. Oliver Keller Jr.; Doris (Cookie) and Ron Kuehn; and Don Gourley.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Crematory is in care of the arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Ruth’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.