Ruth Eloise Fleming Phillips, 95, of New Sharon, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed peacefully on Oct. 26, 2020, at Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. A private funeral was held at New Sharon United Methodist Church with burial in Highland Cemetery in New Sharon. In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be directed to the New Sharon Public Library or North Mahaska Educational Foundation. Cards and written condolences may be sent to: Mary Sharp; PO Box 47; New Sharon, IA 50207.
Ruth Eloise Fleming was born Feb. 18, 1925, to Lucile (Sheesley) and Chanley Lee Fleming, the third of seven children. Raised on a farm west of Taintor, Ruth learned the value and rewards of family, effort, and faith.
She attended Granville School, and then lived with an aunt and uncle to attend high school in Oskaloosa, graduating from Oskaloosa High School in 1942, gaining many life-long friendships and instilling in her a love of broadening her and her family’s experiences. Upon grad-uation, she attended Iowa State Teachers College, now the University of Northern Iowa, where she received her teaching certificate. She taught at the Fleming Country School and the Success Country School.
While teaching at Success, she met her future husband, Bayard Phillips, who was farming the family homestead “across the road.” Jan. 30, 1946, Ruth was joined in marriage to Bayard, and together they worked the family farm west of New Sharon, providing a stable home and a wonderful upbringing to eight children. The Phillips Farm was recognized as a Century Farm at the Iowa State Fair in 1995. Ruth and Bayard celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary prior to Bayard’s passing in 2011.
Education and learning were always at the center of Ruth’s life, and she and Bayard supported the North Mahaska Community Schools and were a familiar sight at countless sports, extracurricular, and academic events. She also enjoyed auditing classes at local colleges, contending that learning is a lifelong pursuit. Her political discussions and debates with her children were regular events throughout their lives.
In 2008, Ruth and Bayard moved into New Sharon, continuing their life together “in town.” Recently, Ruth had been a resident at Homestead Assisted Living in Oskaloosa. Ruth was a member of Chapter AL of P.E.O., UMW Women, Faith Circle, Eastern Star, United Methodist Church of New Sharon, and JWN Neighborhood Club. Ruth taught Sunday school for over 20 years and was a proud, lifelong Democrat.
Ruth loved her large, extended, and far-flung family and kept her children updated on their numerous cousins and relatives in nearly every conversation.
She is survived by her children: Mary Sharp of New Sharon, Mark (Chris) of Dike, Joel (Tina) of Pasadena, CA, Jennifer (Richard) Elliott of Carson, Luann (Steve) Swanson of Ollie, Julie (George) Maze of Swea City, Chanley (Linda) of Excelsior, MN, and John (Kim) of Wauwatosa, WI; 23 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and dozens of nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two sisters, Gayle Ferguson and Arlene Cassens, and brother-in-law Kenny Knowler.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and siblings Katherine Craver, Esther Knowler, Annetta May Klinzman, and James Fleming, and grandson Adam Mark Phillips.
