Obituary for Mrs. Edna Ruth Pruitt Edna Ruth Pruitt’s story began on January 2,1930, as the youngest child to John and Lola Cox. With six older brothers and one sister, she was simultaneously adored and subjected to brotherly pranks which only served to bloom her great sense of humor, love of family and headstrong determination in life. Edna met the love of her life, Jerry Dean Pruitt, at Bedford, Iowa, High School and they were married on June 14, 1953, sharing 39 years together until his passing in 1992.
Graduating from Clarinda Jr. College in Iowa, Edna took her devotion to babies and children throughout her elementary teaching career, and later raising children and spoiling grandchildren. Early in her teaching career, Edna taught full-time for grades K-8 for a rural school in Taylor County, Iowa, as well as various elementary school grades in Bedford, Shenandoah, and Villisca, Iowa. Together, she and Jerry enjoyed a life filled with heaps of laughter, raising a son, Joel, and a daughter, Joyce.
In addition to devoting her life and love to her family, she was an avid gardener, growing tasty tomatoes and beautiful flowers, and quilted and sewed many original creations for babies born to family and friends. Although Edna stopped formal instruction in the classroom when she raised her children, she wasn’t done teaching. On February 12, 2007, Edna suffered a debilitating stroke leaving her with partial paralysis and the inability to speak, but despite her circumstances, she modeled how to persevere.
Through her headstrong determination, she set a shining example of how to find joy and smile, despite a life changing illness. To her youngest grandchild, Kennan, she was “Yam-Yam” (the sweetest sweet potato) who ensured his younger years were filled with love, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and all good things. Her adoration, and genuine love for all three of her grandchildren: John, Jenna, and Kennan, was evident through all her kind and special moments with them- making sure through her loving actions and words they knew how special they were to her.
Edna passed away on June 3, 2018 at the age of 88 years. Loved ones that cleared the path for Edna included her husband, Jerry, in 1992, her parents, her siblings: J. Ralph, Mildred, Wayne, Willis, J. Howard, Gordon, and other extended family and dear friends. She will be dearly missed by her son, Joel Pruitt, daughter, Joyce Hottinger (Dan), as well as the lights of her life, her grandchildren: John and his daughter, Jenna Amundson (Kevin), and Kennan, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Those who so desire, may make memorial donations in Edna’s memory to a charity supporting children in honor of Edna’s love of babies and children. Special thanks to the Benedictine Health Center Innsbruck of New Brighton and Allina Hospice for their care and comfort for Edna. Private family service to be held.
www.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
