Ruth Palmer, 91, of Grinnell, died on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with Pastor Matt Oleson officiating. The family encourages those attending the service to wear a face mask. Interment will be at Chester Cemetery north of Grinnell. Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm on Wednesday at the Smith Funeral Home and her family will receive friends from 4:30 pm until 7:30 pm. The family encourages those attending the visitation to wear a face mask. Memorials may be designated to the Newburg-Chester Church or to the St. Francis Manor Foundation, mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Ruth's family online at www.smithfh.com. Ruth Madge Bohstedt was born the daughter of Edward and Gesine (Harjes) Bohstedt on September 12, 1929 in Grinnell, Iowa. She was raised in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School in 1947. She attended Sioux Falls College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and later transferred to Grinnell College, graduating in 1951. Ruth was united in marriage to Virgil Palmer on June 18, 1954, at the First Baptist Church in Grinnell. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Kathy, Kris, and Gary. The couple resided near Newburg and farmed for most of their lives together. Upon retirement, they moved to Grinnell. Ruth was employed in the Treasurer's Office as a cashier at Grinnell College. The couple enjoyed many years with their friends and family at Lake Ponderosa near Montezuma. Ruth and Virgil held a strong faith and were longtime members of the Newburg-Chester Church where she was pianist and a member of the choir. She was an avid Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes fan and enjoyed watching sporting events on television. She volunteered in the gift shop at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Ruth will be remembered for being a provider, for her work ethic, for being compassionate and caring, and for being an amazing role model for her family. Ruth is survived by her loving children, Kathy (Steve) Hickman of Des Moines, Kris (Russ) Morgan of Des Moines, and Gary (Kelley) Palmer of Cedar Rapids; 6 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Virgil Palmer in 2008; and brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Anne Bohstedt.