Ruth E Klotz

Ruth E. Klotz was born on August 13, 1932 to Albert and Ella (Stieneke) Hartwig in Cherokee, IA. She passed away at the Mill Pond Community Care Center in Ankeny, IA on November 25, 2025. After graduation from Aurelia High School, she attended the American Institute of Business in Omaha, NE. She had a long successful career working as an executive secretary for American Bakeries in Chicago.

Ruth was married to William (Bill) Klotz for 64 years, cherishing their life together until Bill’s passing in 2020. They spent 45 years in the Chicago suburbs before making Ankeny their home in 1998. She is survived by her sister Joyce Stead, of Issaquah WA and was preceded in death by her brothers, John Hartwig, Ralph Hartwig, Dean Hartwig and Robert Hartwig and brother-in-law, Ivan Stead.

Ruth leaves behind a loving family, including nieces Peggy (Loren) Kolpin of Grinnell, IA and Shirley (David) Pierce of Aurelia, IA, nephews Dr. Stanley (Judy) Stead of Encino, CA and Randall (Valene) Stead of Issaquah WA. She is also survived by 11 great nieces and nephews, 19 great-great nieces and nephews, and 3 great-great-great nieces and nephews.