Ruth Deskin
January 28, 1925 ~ August 20, 2018
Ruth Eileen Milhoan Deskin, 93, of Mount Vernon, Iowa died Monday, August 20, 2018, at St. Luke's Hospital following a lingering illness. Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 24, 2018, at United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon. Friends may call for visiting from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, August 23, 2018, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. Burial following services at Mount Vernon Cemetery.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. William Deskin; daughters, Susan (Greggory) Glenn, and Cynthia (Kevin) Halbmaier; son-in-law, Roger Pitlik; grandchildren, Andrew (Ashley) Pitlik, Amy (Lauren Cikara) Pitlik, Kristin (Richard) Mayson, Garrett (Katie) Glenn, Elena (Benjamin) Lamaak, Geoffrey Glenn, Sean (Valerie) Halbmaier, Mackenzie (Benjamin) Kraus, and Nathan (Katie) Halbmaier; great-grandchildren, McKenna, Josie, Brylee, Eleanor, Harper, Hudson, Jordin, Stella, Elijah, Elliana, Brooks, Tyler, Jack, and two more on the way.
Born Ruth Eileen Milhoan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Everett and Myrtle Belle (Crist) Milhoan near Winigan, Missouri January 28, 1925, she was married to Dr. William Arna Deskin, her college sweetheart, June 5, 1949 in Kirksville, Missouri. She was a 1949 graduate of Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Degrees in Education with a major in English and minors in German and Business Education. She was a member of Cardinal Key, National Honor Society, and Delta Sigma Epsilon Social Sorority.
Mrs. Deskin had been employed by the Pratt-Whitney Aircraft Corporation, Kansas City, Missouri, Kirksville College of Osteopathy and Surgery, Kirksville, Missouri, Admissions Office, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, the Medical Laboratories Army Chemical Center, Edgewood, Maryland, and Stolls Stores, Incorporated, Mount Vernon, Iowa.
Ruth was a member of the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Woman's Club, and American Association of University Women which she served as President in 1972-73. She served in various capacities in the Iowana Council of Camp Fire Girls, locally and on the county level. She was a member of the Mount Vernon Community Chest Board for several years. Ruth was co-chairman of the National Cancer Society in 1980-81. She and her husband were co-presidents of the Mount Vernon Music Association in 1975-76. She was also a member of the Friday morning women's bridge group for many years. Her main interest through the years was her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Gayla Ruth Pitlik; sister, Dorothy Berniece Baker; and niece, Gayla Jean Baker, born sleeping.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Mount Vernon Firefighters Association, Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance, or United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon.
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Cynthia and your family, so sorry for the loss of your Mom….Our prayers and thoughts are with you…
Linda & Rob Guay
The Viiages Florida
I am so sorry for your loss. Ruth was a great women who cared deeply about others. Ruth and my Mom had some fun riding horses and chasing boys! Great memory! What a legacy. Kim Fanning
Much love to your entire family. What little time I spent with your mother, Cynthia, she was a loving, deeply caring, well spoken woman, and had a good sense of humor. Much love to you. Susan Halbmaier
I last saw your mom at my Uncle Don’s funeral a few years back. It was so nice to chat with her a bit.
The other day my parents received an anniversary card from her. She was a nice lady I will never forget.
My condolences to you, Susan, and the rest of your family
Dave Behrens
To the Deskin family,
I was so very to learn of Ruth’s passing. It seems like I just saw her someplace not long ago. We have taken several bank trips with Bill and Ruth, fun people. I remember one time we played a game of what was in ladies purses and Bill said that is easy, we will win this one, she has it all in here purse and I think they did win.
Ruth was always such a soft spoken lady and was always so graceful and gracious. Hold on to her loving memories and remember her with love and a smile.
With sympathy,
Annamae Baker
Dear Deskin family, I send my condolences and prayers for God to comfort you all. I worked with Ruth at Stolls right out of high school. She was a joy to work with and we had fun. One of the kindest persons I have ever met. I always enjoyed running into her in town and visiting with her. I know she is with the Lord celebrating eternity, Gala by her side. I was blessed to know them both. Debbie Walden Goodlove