Ruth E. Duede (Babe)
Ruth E. Duede (Babe)
Cedar Rapids
Ruth E. Duede, (Babe), 91 of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away peacefully with family by her side on February 6, 2025, at Mercy Hospital after battling lung disease complicated by pneumonia.
Ruth, the youngest of 9 children, was born in Urbana, Iowa on December 31, 1933, to Lemual and Addie (Edaburn) Tharp. Ruth worked part time for 19 years at Killian’s candy counter, she also did daycare in her home for many years. Ruth married Paul Mefferd in 1953, they later divorced. In 1976 Ruth married the love of her life Wayne Duede and enjoyed 44 years of happiness together until his passing in 2020. Ruth was a giving person who loved the Lord and treasured her family, friends, as well as the many children they provided daycare for. She loved baking, doing crafts, was an avid squirrel and birdwatcher, loved the Cedar Rapids Kernels, Iowa Hawkeyes, and Caitlin Clark.
Ruth is survived by her daughters Cindy MacLeod, Cedar Rapids, Teresa (Barrie) Oxley Marion, Joni (Terry) Strain, Lisa (Jim) Pettibone, Kristin (Mike) Chesmore all of Arizona, Wayne‘s children, Gary (LaNetta) Duede, Kim Newman, Doug Duede, Kathy Bissett. 14 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 15 great-great-grandchildren, her grand dogs, and many nieces and nephews. Helpful angel-niece, Karen Pence, Dear friends Jack Roeder, Dale Troester, her extended family at Central Church of Christ and Irving Point.
She was preceded in death by Wayne, her parents, siblings Flora Barnard-Chermak, Genevieve Bjornson, Darline Pence-Burlingham, Marshall, Marvin, Virgil, Wilmer, Charles Tharp, granddaughter Corie Kinkead, great-great-grandson Hudson Pettibone.
Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Central Church of Christ 1500 1st Ave NW, Cedar Rapids, with Rev. Darren Johnson officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:30 PM until the time of the service on Tuesday at the church. Private Entombment will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
A livestream of the service can be viewed at the Facebook page for Cedar Rapids Central Church of Christ. https://www.facebook.com/CRCCOC
In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions will be directed to the family for later designation to the activity fund at Irving Point Assisted Living Facility or Central Church of Christ. Contributions can be made to Cindy Macleod and sent to her at: PO Box 8714, 1930 Wiley Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
Online condolences are welcome at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.