Loretta Caves

Loretta Caves

Oskaloosa. Loretta Ruth (DeWitt) Caves, 98, of Oskaloosa went to be with the Lord on Monday, July 14, 2025, while being cared for at the Northern Mahaska Specialty Care Center in Oskaloosa. She was born September 1, 1926, at the farm home near Lacey, Iowa, the daughter of Walter and Ruth (Vail) DeWitt of Lacey. She was the second oldest of 4 children, Kenneth, Norval and Gerald. In high school she played 4 on 4 basketball as a forward and was a cheerleader. She graduated from Lacey High School and continued her education at Central College. After two years at Central she received her degree in bookkeeping and shorthand. After her graduation she got her first job at the Iowa Trust and Savings Bank in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She married Richard Norris Caves on February 15th, 1948. The couple then resided on a farm north of Oskaloosa. To this union three children were born, Gloria, Steven, and Cynthia. Loretta became a stay-at-home mother and helped Norris on the farm. In her younger years singing and music were her passion. She was a singer and pianist. Her soprano voice gave her opportunities to sing at weddings, funerals, and church. During WWII. Loretta and her future sister-in-law Joan Faulkner sang on KBOE in Oskaloosa and on the Ottumwa, Iowa radio. Loretta worked part time as her children grew older at the livestock sale barns in Oskaloosa and Eddyville, Iowa, as their bookkeeper and 30 years at the Mahaska Vet Clinic where she retired. There are many wonderful memories of Loretta playing the piano and singing at home. Two of her favorite songs were The Lord’s Prayer and Sentimental Journey. She was a very active member of the Gateway Church of the Nazarene and loved to share her faith!!!

Her family includes her three children, Gloria Ruth (Caves) Stam, Oskaloosa, Iowa, Steven Norris Caves and Judy, Oskaloosa, Iowa and Cindy Louise (Caves) Johnston and Paul, Ankeny, Iowa. Sister in-law Pat DeWitt, 10 Grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren.

Loretta was preceded death by her husband Richard “Norris” Caves on January 23, 2011; her parents, Walter and Ruth DeWitt, brothers, Kenneth DeWitt, Norval, wife Joan DeWitt, Gerald, wife Norma DeWitt, a brother-in-law Jack Caves and sister-in-law, Elsie Caves.

A Celebration of life service will be held Friday, July 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa with Reverend Darren Melton officiating. Private family burial will be held in the Forest Cemetery. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Gateway Church of the Nazarene, the family will be at the Church on Thursday evening from 5-7 to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse.