Ruth J. Sefcik – age 96, of Pocahontas, passed away on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at the Pocahontas Community Hospital in Pocahontas, Iowa.
Ruth Joyce Hamann was born August 26, 1922, in Manilla, Iowa. She was the daughter of Henry and Joyce (Peterson) Hamann. She graduated from Gowrie High School in 1939. In Gowrie Ruth worked at the Telephone Office, Hauser Appliance and for Patton's Print Shop. On January 31, 1948, Ruth married M. Francis Sefcik at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Fort Dodge. The couple settled on a farm east of Pocahontas where they farmed and raised their family. Francis passed away in 1974 and Ruth continued to live on the farm. After Francis's passing Ruth worked as a nurse's aide at the Pocahontas Community Hospital and was also involved with the Pocahontas Hospice. In 1986, Ruth moved into Pocahontas.
Ruth was a member of the Resurrection Catholic Church, Catholic Ladies Society, C.D. of A., SS Peter & Paul Historical Corporation Board of Directors, American Legion Auxiliary, Pocahontas County Genealogy Society and Historical Society, Pocahontas Hospital Auxiliary and the Catholic School Alumni Association. Ruth was a volunteer at the Pocahontas Catholic School for almost 20 years and in 1999 was recognized by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield with an "Ageless Hero" Award. Ruth was also awarded as "Volunteer of the Year" in 1999, by the Iowa Hospice Organization for her many hours of service.
Survivors include her children, Kathryn (Bill) Lynch of Victor; John (Dianne) Sefcik of Westerlo, NY; Patricia (Arjen) Chamberlain of Galena, IL and Tom (Lisa) Sefcik of Pocahontas; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and a sister, Shirley Drayer of Jefferson. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, M. Francis; sisters, Dorothy Clifton and Hazel Weaver and brothers, John Hamann and Arthur Hamann.