Obituary of Ruth M. Lauther

Ruth May (Coates) Lauther, 93, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died�of natural causes�October 26,�2019 in Colorado Springs.�The youngest of three girls - preceded in death by sisters, Ella Watson and Wilma (Billy) (Gould)�Olson - she was�born to parents, James and Amelia (Lister)�Coates. Ruth graduated from McKinley High School and�attended�Coe College.�There, she was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority.�She married Leslie Lauther in 1947�and raised her two sons, Lawrence (deceased) and James, and daughter, Susan. She and her family were members of Kenwood Park Presbyterian�Church.Ruth is survived by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.�She�and Leslie�retired in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, where she�was a member of Kirk in the Pines Presbyterian Church and�continued�to be passionate about making�the world better through volunteer service to others. Some of the projects included The Heifer Project, local hospitals, Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival�and�March of Dimes.�Ruth supported the arts,�public radio/television,�community endeavors, and she spent countless hours attending and preparing for her�family's�events.�Ruth was sought after as a friend and player of bridge,�golf and many other games. She loved spontaneous outings,�hiking, cross-country skiing,�dinner parties and church events. Ruth's joy-filled whimsy was ever-present. Family members remember her dressing up as a clown�and handing out balloons with Les or gathering the family to play kazoos together. Ruth was an exceptional craftsman; she was awarded a�blue ribbon for a white-on-white quilt and gave many family and friends beautiful pieces she created with needles, paint, wood, fabric and�other media.�Ruth enjoyed travel,�the�stock�market,�was�generously�engaged with others' passions and was a reliable worker and�faithful�friend.�Everyone looked forward to her smile�which brought�comfort, understanding,�wisdom and�integrity-infused advice.��Memorial contributions in Ruth's memory may be made to the Heifer Project: www.heifer.org; Camp Courageous: https://campcourageous.org; or others listed above.