Ruth C. Smith, 97, of Stonehill Care Center in Dubuque, IA, formerly of Fairplay, WI, passed away Sunday evening, March 11, 2018 at Stonehill.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2018 at the Miller Funeral Home in East Dubuque, IL, with Rev. Dianne Grace officiating. Burial will be in Dubuque Memorial Gardens. Visitation for family and friends is after 10:00 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

She was born on July 30, 1920, in White Oak Springs Township of Lafayette County, WI, the daughter of Clarence and Marie (Swanson) McCoy. She lived on the family farm until the age of 18. Ruth graduated from Shullsburg High School in 1938. She then attended Bayless Business College in Dubuque, graduating in 1940 and worked for Federal Discount Corporation for a number of years.

Ruth met the love of her life, Eugene Joseph Smith and they were united in marriage on May 16, 1944 while he was home on furlough. They had three wonderful children: Sandra, Richard and Bruce Smith.

She liked to read books, watch her birds outside, go fishing, and working in her garden, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Sandy (Bob) Baumel of Albany, WI, her son Richard “Dick” (Alice) Smith of Newnan, GA; grandchildren, Brett (Ann) Cox, Chad Cox, Amy (Steve) Koeller, Scott (April) Smith, Jamie Smith, and Rick (Elizabeth) Smith; great grandchildren, Whitnee Hale, Macie and Maddie Cox, Lindsey, Alyssa, and Ryan Koeller, Ella and Harlee Cox, and Aubree Smith; several nieces and nephews, and her sister-in-law, Kate McCoy of Cottage Grove, WI.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Marie; her husband Eugene J. “Gene” Smith; her son Bruce J. Smith; her siblings, Florence (Norman) Kittoe, Alberta (John) Leitzinger, June McCoy, Vivian (Charles) Herbst, Gordon (Cleone) McCoy, Robert McCoy, Delbert (Margaret) McCoy, and Leonard McCoy.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hospice of Dubuque.

The family wishes to thank Hospice of Dubuque and the nurses and staff at Stonehill Care Center for the excellent care given to Ruth.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com.