Mrs. Sherry Sue Ruggles, age 78, of Boone, Iowa, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2024, at the Boone County Hospital with her family by her side.
Sherry was born at home in rural Bridgewater on April 16, 1946, to Lois and Howard Funke. She grew up on the farm and attended school at Bridgewater, graduating in 1964. She continued her education at C E School of Commerce in Omaha, graduating with a bookkeeping degree.
Sherry married Jim Ruggles of Anita on June 18, 1966, at the Christian Church of Bridgewater in Bridgewater. Two children were born to this union: Michael and Daren. They kept her frustrated, busy, gave her moments of joy and sadness as she did her best to keep them in line and focused on staying out of trouble, not always succeeding, but according to dad it worked out okay.
Sherry held multiple roles besides mother, grandma, and great-grandma. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, an occasional hitting coach, an excellent fishing guide, and had an outstanding backhand like a pro. She was a ringleader of her home circus (see above regarding the boys), and she instructed adult ed classes on cooking, baking, and bookkeeping. She worked with her brother Rocky, keeping the books and inventory for his business. She was an Office Manager at K-mart in Atlantic for several years. When they moved to Nebraska, she worked for many different ranchers and farmers, helping with their books. She even worked stocking posters and sunglasses at various stores, of which the grandkids got the benefit of the newest and latest posters on the market.
Every summer, as the boys grew up, they took a vacation and visited every state west of the Mississippi, including one or two on the eastern side of the river. Once the boys graduated and they lost their air mattress inflators, they got a camper and continued their travels. As the grandkids became older, they would take them in their camper, showing them the sites around the country. After Jim retired, they would spend part of the winter in Texas and get to know more people.
Sherry was known for her cookies, bars, pies, rolls, and baking prowess. There was always enough to share because she only had one cookie, bar, or slice. She was a fantastic cook, and nobody left the table hungry. However, you ate what was prepared; it was not a Cafe. Every holiday season, there were tons of options for treats, from fudge to peanut brittle to homemade sugar cookies. Every birthday, the boys got a meal and dessert of their choice, and Mom always came through.
Sherry and Jim enjoyed visiting and seeing their grandkids and great-grandkids. She crocheted covers and blankets and even created dollies for all the kids with their names. She made quilts for kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. They enjoyed trips to the casino. They never missed a free casino meal, and according to Mom, she never lost at slots; she always walked out with more money than she went in with.
Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Lois Funke, her mother and father-in-law Betsy and Ed Ruggles, siblings Becky Dunkerson, Butch Funke, Marcia Schmitt and Rocky Funke.
Sherry is survived by her husband Jim of 58 years: sons Michael (Dawn) Ruggles of Bondurant, Daren (Tammy) Ruggles of Slater; Grandchildren Daryk Ruggles (Ana See) of Ames, Jacinda (James) Daniel of Slater, Connor (Samantha) Ruggles of Waukee, Hunter Ruggles (Nate Kissinger) of Johnston, Cody (Becky) Wilson of Ankeny, Kyle (Ashley) Wilson of Des Moines. Thirteen great-grandchildren (Hayden, Noah, Zavier, Ella, Olivia, Cameron, Nicholas, Brody, Harrison, Owen, Walker, Greta, and Frankie). Many friends and relatives.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic, IA, with Rev. Garry DeGeest officiating. Interment will follow the funeral at Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, IA. A luncheon will be held following the interment at the Anita Community Center.
Public Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic, IA.
Memorials may be directed to the Anita Fire & EMS Department in memory of Sherry and mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.
Funeral arrangements are handled with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic, IA.
