Ruth E. (Strutz) Martin

Ruth E. Martin (formerly Strutz), 94, of East Moline, died, Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at Genesis Medical Center, Silvis.

Funeral services are 10 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2018, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, 6601 38th Avenue, Moline, IL.  Burial is at Moline Memorial Park following the service.  Visitation will be Friday from 4 -7 p.m. at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the Riverside Methodist Church, Moline, and Youth Hope, Moline.

Ruth Esther Crowe was born on January 6, 1924, in Fairfield, Iowa, a daughter to Morris and Effie Brown Crowe.  She married William “Bill” Strutz on August 11, 1944.  He died October 21, 1970.  Ruth married Dr. Lowell Martin on September 26, 1981.  He died March 22, 2003.

Ruth graduated from Moline High School.  She completed a two-year secretarial course in Moline.  She moved to California and worked for the U.S. Navy.  She and Bill returned to the Quad-Cities after the war.  She worked for the American Heart Association, Montgomery Elevator, and Moline Accessories.  She retired in 1982 with 21 years of service to Deere & Co. as a legal secretary.

She was a member of the Riverside Methodist Church for sixty years.  She served as Sunday school teacher, committee chairperson and Bible student.  She was an active member and held various offices in her church circle.  She served with Christian Friendliness as a board member.  She supported many missionary projects, both locally and overseas.  She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi and Questers.  Ruth was an avid bridge player, playing with several bridge groups.  She had many lifelong friendships.  Ruth’s greatest joy was her family.  She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Survivors include her three children, Nancy Pheiffer, (Gary) Moline, William “Jim” Strutz, (Jane) Champaign, Illinois, and Judith Bubanovich, (Stephen) Granger, Indiana; grandchildren, Steven Pheiffer (Carrie), Jennifer vonKaenel (Dave), William “Jason” Strutz (Candice) and David Strutz (Vicki); great-grandchildren, Grace (Dillon) McCune, Abigail Pheiffer, Nicholas Strutz, Haley Blohm, and Akilah Strutz; siblings, Lillian Tinsley, Marina Del Rey, California, Belva Van Norman, Moline, Guss Crowe, Pasadena, California, and Ralph Crowe, Coal Valley.  Other survivors are stepchildren, Patricia Carlson, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Barbara (Paul) MacGregor, Mason City, Iowa, and their descendants.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Bill Strutz and Lowell Martin, and siblings, Margaret Crowe Scott, Gladys (Peg) Bodo, and Frank Crowe.