Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Ruth E. Fivecoat
RUTH E. FIVECOAT
Cedar Rapids
Ruth Ellen Fivecoat of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Lancaster, Wis., passed away peacefully in the arms of her children on Nov. 9, 2021, at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A Celebration of Life will be held at her gravesite at 11 a.m. May 7, 2022, at Dubuque Memorial Gardens. Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore, Wis., is in charge of arrangements. The Celebration will be presided over by Pastor MaryAnn Floerke.
Ruth was born Jan. 11, 1933, in Buena Park, Calif., to Richard and Katie (Drenth) Van Rennes. She was joined in marriage on May 16, 1954, to Eugene Tropf in Dubuque, Iowa. To this union children, Sally, Sandy and Alan were born. They were later divorced. She then married Richard Fivecoat on Aug. 10, 1974. He preceded her in death.
Ruth was a registered nurse for over 35 years. She worked in labor and delivery, pediatrics, was a visiting nurse and ended her career in public health. She was a real advocate of medicine and taking care of your own health. She moved to Cedar Rapids to be nearer to Sandy and Alan to help her with her health challenges. She was in hospice for almost a year. As she would say she graduated without a diploma. While in hospice she proceeded to make 100 prayer shawls for other patients in hospice. She was an avid quilter and card maker. Her connection with people was immeasurable. She read 100 books a year and visited 47 states. She loved music and went to Branson, Mo., with the same friends for 25 years in a row. She bowled for over 50 years and was a past president of the West Grant Lioness Club. She went to New York City to see Broadway and went fly fishing in Montana in her 80s.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Sally Basten (Michael), Sandy Dierks (Larry) and Alan Tropf (Dawn); her grandchildren, Brian Basten, Bethany Anderson, Briana Basten, Jarek Dierks, Jessa Stueck and Alex Tropf; great-grandchildren, Jaydn, Jack, Ava, Teagan and Terran; brother, James Van Rennes; and sister, Shirley Van Rennes.
Many thanks to Grand Living of Indian Creek in Cedar Rapids where Mom lived. They truly put “Grand” in her last six months of life.
Mom was still helping others and gave the gift of skin and eyes to the Iowa Donor Network. A Ruth Fivecoat Memorial Fund has been set up at the Schreiner Memorial Library in Lancaster, Wis. Donations will be used to purchases a memorial tree and large print books.
Mom said if the last thing you saw was a sunrise you were given another day. If the last thing you saw was a sunset, you were on your way. Mom, you saw your sunset last. May all of your sunrises be amazing. Your work here is done.
Mom, thank you for loving us. We hope we can be even half the person you were. Enjoy your new life. Please watch over us because we still need you.
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