Obituary of Ruth Louise Snider

Ruth Snider, 97, of Chicago, Illinois, formerly of Iowa City, died peacefully in her daughter, Julie's home surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, May 13, 2017. Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Mabel Slife, her husband, Charles Snider and her sister, Jean Hawk. Ruth was born in a French hospital in San Francisco, California to Walter Lyle and Mabel (Wheelwright) Slife on May 31, 1919. Her family moved to Iowa City, where she attended Iowa City High School. In 1941, in Iowa City, Ruth married her high school sweetheart, Charles Snider, who after serving in World War II joined the Iowa City Police Department. Ruth was employed at the Bell Telephone Company, Mercy Hospital and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Iowa City. Ruth was an avid traveler and fantastic cook. She entered and won many Midwest cooking contests. Her recipes were in print in Iowa newspapers and in the Better Homes and Gardens magazine. In 1969 she was recognized on the national level by being one of the 100 winners in the National Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest. Ruth especially loved Christmas and elaborately decorated her home. In the 1980's, Ruth's fully decorated 14' Christmas tree was featured on the front page of the local Iowa City Press Citizen newspaper. Charles and Ruth spent many hours enjoying their "great room" they designed after a Better Homes and Gardens magazine cover, with a hand picked field stone fireplace and an a-frame wooden beam ceiling filled with antiques. She gave her family and friends many wonderful memories to recall with a festive home and her holiday baking, especially her front hall closet filled with many tins of homemade candies and cookies. Ruth is survived by her sister, Charlotte Dahl of Minnesota, her daughters Julie Snider of Chicago and Catherine Luett of Connecticut, her two grandchildren, Amy Luett and Andrew Luett, seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at Gay & Ciha Funeral Service in Iowa City on Saturday, May 20 at 1:30 pm with Reverend John Raab officiating. Burial will follow at the Memory Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ruth's caregivers in the form of donations to daughter Julie who will distribute the funds to five caregivers who took such special care of her these last many years with loving compassion. Online condolences may be shared with Ruth's family at www.gayandciha.com. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to a dear family friend, Judy Miranda and the Journey/Horizon Hospice of Chicago. A particular thank you to the wonderful loving caregivers, Dulcisima ("Julie"), Carol, Jeannie, Jackie and Beth who were close by Ruth's side for the last several years providing excellent and compassionate care.