Ruth Jahlas, 97, of rural Deep River, IA, died on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at English Valley Care Center in North English. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at St. John's Lutheran Church south of Victor with Pastor Stuart Rethwisch officiating. Interment will be at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery. A reception will follow at St. John's Lutheran Church. Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 12, 2022, at the Smith Funeral Home in Victor and her family will receive friends from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to St. John's Lutheran Church or to Essence of Life Hospice, mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 485, Victor, IA 52347. Memories and condolences may be shared with her family online at www.smithfh.com. Ruth Mae Hessenius was born the daughter of Anton and Mathilda Saloma (Lauterwasser) Hessenius on May 21, 1925 on the family farm south of Vinton, Iowa. She was raised on the family farm and educated at Newhall, Iowa schools. Ruth was united in marriage to William Henry Jahlas on March 1, 1943, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Newhall, Iowa. To this union were born their children, Dwayne, Edwin, Patricia, and John. The couple resided on their family farm in rural Deep River, where Ruth and Bill shared their lives together farming. Ruth held a steadfast faith and was a longtime member of St. John's Lutheran Church. Her family brought her the greatest joy and she loved attending her grandchildren's school and athletic events. Her enjoyments were knitting, sewing, crocheting, watching Iowa State Cyclones sporting events, going out to eat, dancing to polka music, and attending barn dances. Ruth is survived her daughter, Patricia (Walter) Van Waus of Worthington, MN; son, John (Karen) of Cedar Rapids, IA; daughter-in-law, Connie Jahlas of Deep River, IA; nephew, Dr. Rodney (Deb) Wachter of Adams, TN; seven grandchildren: Melissa Hasert, Amy Rieks, Melinda Van Waus, Molly Schultz, Sara Bryan, Allison Jahlas, and Joshua Jahlas; 19 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Carol Wachter and Joan Lindberg; and sister-in-law, Esther Sandersfeld. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband William Jahlas in 2005; sons, Dwayne Jahlas in 2013, and Edwin Jahlas in 2017; and her siblings, Lucille Hartman, Rosella Fruendt, Lois Struck, and Dorothy Runyon.