Ruth M. Bittle died February 22, 2008 at The Wesley Village in Indianola, Iowa.

Born in Glenwood, Missouri July 24, 1915, Ruth was the only child of Edgar W. Davis and E. Mae Davis. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1933, attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri for her freshman year of college, then transferred to Drake University. At Drake, she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority, majored in English, and graduated in 1937. In 1939 she married Harold A. Bittle, who precedes her in death. She returned to Drake in 1955 to earn her teaching credentials, then taught second grade in the Des Moines Public Schools before retiring.

She is survived by two sons, Ed Bittle (Barbara Madden) of West Des Moines and John Bittle (Jan Lassen) of Bloomington, Minnesota, seven grandchildren, two step- grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

The family has chosen a private burial service.

Memorial contributions in Ruth's name may be made to the Wesley Good Shepherd Fund at Wesley Village, 1203 North E Street, Indianola, Iowa, 50125 or Hospice of Central Iowa.