Ruth was born on February 17, 1920, in Grinnell, Iowa to Charles and Mary (Henry) Bryan. She attended Grinnell schools and graduated with the Class of 1939 from Grinnell High School. On March 1, 1941, she was married to LeRoy J. Mithelman in Grinnell. The couple lived in Grinnell and were partners in the Mithelman Construction Company. She was a homemaker but also worked as a secretary for the Ramsey Insurance Agency and later worked for over 20 years for Hanssen Photography. Ruth was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church of Grinnell and the Mary-Martha Circle of the church. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Grinnell Band Booster Club and the former St. Francis Hospital auxiliary. She is survived by one daughter, Janet L. Holcomb of Grinnell; one son, Rev. Jack (Rachel) Mithelman of Des Moines; 10 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; one sister, Clara Halstead of Grinnell; two sons-in-law, Ken Lindblom and Roy Rupe; and two sisters-in-law, Betty Bryan and Bernice Mithelman. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two daughters, Janie Rupe and Judith Lindblom; one son-in-law, Jerry Holcomb; four sisters, Bessie Wright, Sally Todd, Hazel Brim and Margaret Osborn; and five brothers, Albert, Alvin, Bob, Roy and Ray Bryan. Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church in Grinnell.