The daughter of Jesse Edward and Ada Burdick Gross, Ruth was born June 10, 1913, in Grinnell. She was raised in Grinnell and was a 1932 graduate of Grinnell High School. On November 28, 1935, she was married to Ellis L. Brown, at her parents home in Grinnell. The couple made their home in Grinnell and had been at their present location since 1957. Ruth was a homemaker and for several years, during the early 1960's, she assisted her husband in baking at Brown's Bakery. She was a member of the Grinnell United Methodist Church and was active with the United Methodist Women. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Rebekah Lodge, Beta Sigma Fi, and past president of Poweshiek County Federated Woman's Club. Ruth enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, tending to her vegetable and flower gardens, and traveling, which included trips to Europe, Brazil, and Panama. Survivors include one daughter, Judy Cook of Grinnell; three sons, Rodney of Las Cruses, New Mexico, and James and Bennett, both of Grinnell; one sister, Elaine Stanley of Grinnell; ten grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren. Ruth died March 9, 2005, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center, at the age of 91. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ellis in 2003; and two brothers, Clarence and Cloyd Gross.