Ruth Virginia Peppers

Ruth Virginia Peppers, the daughter of Roy J. and Florence (Whitmore) Chase, was born June 17, 1917, at her grandparents’, Warren and Minnie Chase, home in Oakfield, Iowa and died May 2, 2017, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 99 years, 10 months, and 15 days.
Ruth was baptized at the Christian Church in Exira, Iowa. She attended rural schools, Oakfield Academy, and then graduated from the Exira High School with the Class of 1934.
On June 9, 1936, she was united in marriage to Sherman J. Peppers at the First Christian Church in Adel, Iowa. They were blessed with four children John, Rick, Shermanee, and Russell. They lived on the home farm in Greely Township where they grew row crops and raised livestock for several years before moving into Exira, Iowa in 1939. Ruth assisted Sherman in the various businesses he owned and operated. She drove stock trucks to the Omaha Markets, helped run a dairy, managed restaurants and taverns, taught country school, worked for the State of Iowa, and was an employee of Kessler Funeral Homes for many years. Ruth could do just about anything from sewing to carpentry and laying brick. She spent many hours making various crafts, sewing quilts, and making special baby quilts for each of her grandchildren. Ruth loved to travel. She and Sherman kept the roads hot visiting their grandchildren’s homes and attending their many activities. Sherman died October 9, 1991. Ruth lived in their home until she moved into the Exira Care Center. She was even fortunate enough to move into the new building which she thoroughly enjoyed. Ruth loved her big family and loved spending time with them. She will be greatly missed.
Preceding her in death was her husband Sherman Peppers; her daughter Shermanee (Sherry) and husband Reu Eddy; her granddaughter Julie Peppers; her daughter-in-law Nadine Peppers; her parents; her sisters Doris and husband Harold Schwab, Marilyn and husband Paul Olsen; and her brother Fred Chase.
Survivors include her children John (Jack) and wife Annette Peppers of Exira, Iowa, Rick Peppers of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Russell and wife Chris Peppers of Dewy Humboldt, Arizona; her grandchildren Mike and wife Ann Peppers of Steilacoom, Washington, Dan and wife Mary Beth Peppers of Papillion, Nebraska, Jackie and husband Tom Fricke of Atlanta, Georgia, Kyle and wife Bonita Peppers of Sioux City, Iowa, Melissa and husband Bob Rus of Paullina, Iowa, Eric Peppers of Falls Church, Virginia, Tammy and husband Steve Bireline of Adair, Iowa, Teresa and husband Rusty Short of Waukee, Iowa, Brad and wife Ruth Peppers of Parker, Colorado, Laurie Peppers of Phoenix, Arizona, Jeff and wife Nicki Peppers of Rock Springs, Wyoming; 38 great grandchildren, 25 great-great grandchildren; her sister-in-law Jean Louise Chase, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The family will meet with friends Friday evening, May 5, 2017, at 6:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Glen Meyers on Saturday morning May 6, 2017, at 10:30 A.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira. The honorary casket bearers will be Jackson Fricke and Chase Peppers. The casket bearers will be Chris Bireline, Alex Bireline, Jordan Short,