April 27, 2006

RUTH E. BELL
(8/11/1938 – 4/11/2006)

Ruth E. Bell, 67, of rural Mt. Sterling, IA, died April 11, 2006, at Van Buren County Hospital, Keosauqua, IA.

She was born August 11, 1938, at Cantril, IA, to Eugene and Willa Cantril Magorian.

She married Clarence L. Bjork, Jr. They divorced. She married James S. Bell, March 24, 1981, in Rock Island, IL.

She graduated from Keosauqua High School in 1955, attended Iowa State University, lived many years in Moline and East Moline, IL and worked at Servus Rubber Co., Rock Island, IL, and retired to her present farm home near Mt. Sterling, IA, in 1989.

She was a member of Amazing Grace Bible Church, Kahoka, MO and enjoyed reading western novels and caring for her chickens, cats and other animals.

Surviving are her husband; a daughter, Jane Hill (Jerry) of Silvis, IL; three sons, Jay Bjork (Tammy) of Auburn, IL, Joel Bjork (Stephanie) of East Moline, IL, and Matthew Bell at home; two stepdaughters, Kathy Hoggard (Rob) of Durant, IA, and Theresa Bell of Greenfield, IN; a stepson, James E. Bell of Durant, IA; eleven grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; her father of Bloomfield, IA; and uncle and aunt, Leland and Ruth Cantril of Memphis, MO.

She was preceded in death by her mother and a sister, Carolyn Brotherton

Funeral services were held April 14, 2006, at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua, IA, with Pastor Mike Shea officiating. Soloist was Jared McAfee. Body bearers were grandsons, Nick DeShane, Josh Bjork, Jordan Hill, Sean Bjork, Grant Bjork, and Daniel McKittrick. Burial was in the Fellows Cemetery, Keosauqua, IA.