Ruth E. Pingrey

In lieu of flowers please designate memorials to Buena Vista University George and Ruth Pingrey Scholarship Fund, Loring Hospital or Unity Point Hospice.

Ruth Pingrey, age 93, of Sac City, IA, passed away Saturday, December 7, 2013 at her home. Ruth Evelyn Henderson Pingrey was born on June 24, 1920 to parents Isaac and Ora (Tjossem) Henderson in Paullina, IA. She grew up in Paullina and graduated from high school there in 1939. She went on to further her education at William Penn College in Oskaloosa, IA, where she began her nurse’s training.

It was love at first sight when a young man named George Pingrey arrived in Paullina to teach school and boarded with the Hendersons. On August 3, 1941 in Paullina, Ruth and George were united in a marriage that lasted nearly seventy years. They were blessed with two children: Cheryl and Mark. Ruth and George settled in Cherokee following their return to Iowa after George’s service in the Air Force during World War II. There George started his banking career and they became active members of St. Paul’s Methodist Church where Ruth was church secretary and sang in the choir. She was an active member of Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron. They moved to Sac City in 1962 upon George’s appointment as president of Sac City State Bank.

Ruth made a loving home for her family as a wife and mother. She was also George’s partner in his banking career. She coordinated the interior design of the new Sac City State Bank building, and her work was proudly displayed upon the bank’s completion in 1973. Later she and George were co-owners of First Trust & Savings Bank, where she served on the Board of Directors until the time of her death. She was widely known as a terrific cook and her Christmas cookies and fruit cakes were eagerly anticipated every holiday season. Ruth was very involved in the Sac City community as a member of the Sac City United Methodist Church, Fortnightly Club, UMC Women’s Church Circle, and the Red Hat Society. She also enjoyed quilting, sewing and knitting. Ruth was a superb bridge player who was active in numerous playing groups, including Thursdays at the Country Club.

In lieu of flowers please designate memorials to Buena Vista University George and Ruth Pingrey Scholarship Fund, Loring Hospital or Unity Point Hospice.