Ruth Iris Reneger, age 83, of Washington, passed away Friday, May 29, 2015 at the M.L. McCreedy Home in Washington.

Celebration of life services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 5, 2015 at the United Methodist Church with Pastor Jim Stiles officiating. Calling hours will begin noon Thursday, June 4, 2015 at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. In honor of Ruth, all are invited to wear the color purple. Interment will be held at Bethel Mennonite Cemetery in Wayland, Iowa, at a later date. Memorials have been established for Washington County Hospice. Online condolences may be sent for Ruth's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Ruth was born August 26, 1931 in Ainsworth, Iowa, the daughter of Rudolph and Edna (Lewis) Wagenknecht. Ruth attended grade school in Ainsworth, Iowa, and later attended school in Washington, Iowa, graduating from Washington High School in 1949. She was united in marriage to John D. Reneger on October 23, 1954 at the United Methodist Church in Washington.

Ruth worked as a switchboard operator at the Telephone Office in Washington, Iowa. She moved to Chicago and worked for Delta Airlines. Following her marriage, Ruth and John lived in Chicago, Illinois, moved to Michigan and moved to Washington, Iowa in 1967. She worked in the Business Office of Siefert's Clothing, was a cook at the Washington High School and later worked at Spurgeon's until her retirement. Following her retirement, Ruth provided child care in her home.

She enjoyed coloring, caring for her dogs, collecting butterflies, doing creative activities with her grandchildren, and loved anything purple. Ruth enjoyed attending her grandchildren's many activities.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Smith and husband Arnold of Washington; daughter, Barb Grieser and husband Doyle of Wayland; daughter, Sue Widmer and husband Dan of Washington; nine grandchildren: Amy Langr and husband Mark of Washington, Iowa; Matthew Smith of Muscatine, Iowa; Amanda Smith of Washington, Iowa; Nathan Grieser and wife Rochelle of Sarasota, Florida; Christian Grieser and wife Ferran of Johnston, Iowa; Brendan Grieser of North Liberty, Iowa; Grace Grieser of North Liberty, Iowa; Blaine Widmer and fiancé Madelyn Westen of Washington, Iowa; Mallory Widmer of Cedar Falls, Iowa; five great grandchildren and one brother, Burdette Wagenknecht and wife Leota of Liberty, Missouri.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2007; two infant brothers and one infant sister.