Obituary of Ruth E. Hurlburt

Ruth E. Hurlburt, age 72 longtime resident of this area died Monday, November 27, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.

Memorial services will be held at 11am Monday, December 4, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa City with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall of the church. (Sunday Parking Ordinance will be in effect for the streets near the church to allow for on street parking near the church for the services).  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Ruth’s memory to North Liberty Community Pantry (89 N. Jones Blvd, North Liberty, IA 52317; https://secure.givelively.org/donate/north-liberty-community-pantry.

Ruth Elaine Hurlburt was born November 27, 1951, in Glasgow, MT, the daughter of Ralph and Dorothea (Mangis) Hurlburt.  Following graduation from Custer County High School in Miles City, Montana she went on to receive degrees from Montana State University and the University of Montana.  Later from the University of Iowa where she received her MFA in Organ Performance.  For Ruth music has been a part of her life nearly her entire lifetime.  She has served as music director, church organist, and in other musical functions in churches in Montana and after coming to this area in the 1980’s a number of churches in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Shueyville for many years.

In addition to her love of music, Ruth enjoyed so much in life including but not limited to bicycling, swimming, reading, volunteering at the North Liberty Community Pantry, Iowa City Free Lunch Program, delivering Meals on Wheels and so much more.  Those who knew Ruth knew a generous woman who along with her oversized heart was clever, witty and funny while intelligent and sweet.  She adored her friends and loved deeply her family, especially her husband Russ!

Her family includes her husband, Russ Husted; step-children, Jacki Marquardt (Doug) and Randy Husted (Meg); grandchildren, Madeline, Maya, Amelia, David and Emma; Ruth’s siblings, Helen VanNice (Lee), Norma Hurlburt, David Hurlburt (Marcia), Judith Hurlburt, Esther Hurlburt and many nieces and nephews in Montana and Oregon.