Ruth Irene George

Ruth was born December 30, 1915, in Cherokee, the daughter of Ernest and Nanny (Bengtson) Bjorklund. She attended one year of high school in Aurelia, then left to be a nanny in Chicago at the age of 15. It was there she became a diehard Chicago Cubs fan and she maintained that love until the very end. On February 17, 1938, she married Wilbert George at Maryhill Church where she was a member for many years before moving to Cherokee following Wilbert's death in 1987. She was a member of WAC (Women's Afternoon Club), Ladies Union, and Catholic Daughters. She was an active bowler for many years and enjoyed bus trips and gambling excursions. She was a dedicated walker, which she did until a fall the day before her 96th birthday. Her favorite travel experience was a trip in 1982 to Sweden to visit relatives. She enjoyed following the activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, infant sister, Ruby, her brother, Kenneth Bjorklund, her sister, Phyllis (Francis) Smith, and daughter, Joan Benson. She will be missed by her daughters, Mary Kay France of Urbandale and Shirley George of Cherokee; grandsons, Brad (Renae), Dan, Greg (Darcy), Mark (Shelley), Mike and Todd (Mel) Benson; Stephen (Kathy) France, granddaughter, Maribeth France-Rieks (Matt), and many great-grandchildren; her sister, Edna Pearson, of Rockford, IL; brother-in-law Francis Smith; sisters-in-law Marilyn Storbeck and Joan Cronin in addition to many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a charity of your choice in her name or to the Cherokee Community Foundation and indicate Cherokee Yacht Club.

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