Ruth Ann Sharples, 89, of Wakonda, S.D., formerly of Griswold, Iowa, died Sunday, November 25, 2007, at the Wakonda Heritage Manor, where she had been a resident for the last 5 years.

Ruth Ann Turner was born in Griswold, Iowa, on August 25, 1918, the daughter of Hector Duncan and Dora Rena (Prather) Turner. She graduated from Griswold High School in 1935. She attended the University of Nebraska for one year and transferred to Simpson College, where she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. There she met Thomas A. Sharples and they were married at her parentπs home in Griswold on July 24, 1938. Tom had already graduated from Simpson with a degree in education and they lived in LaPorte City, Anita and New Hampton until Tom was called to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II. During that time, Ruth Ann lived in Griswold and in Hawthorne, California. When Tom was discharged, they moved to Clinton, Iowa, and lived there until 1954 when they moved to Atlantic. Two years later they moved to Griswold and following Tomπs death on July 25, 1993, she moved to Atlantic. In 2000, she moved to Wakonda, S.D., to be near her son Doug and entered the nursing home there in 2002.

Ruth Ann was a member of the Griswold United Methodist Church, and, while living in Griswold, was active in the Tuesday Music Club and past president of the PEO Sisterhood, Chapter GL. She enjoyed playing bridge and visiting with her many close friends (åthe girls≤). After moving to Wakonda, she became attached to her cat, Katy.

Survivors include her two sons, Thomas D. and his wife Patricia of Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Douglas P. and his wife Judith of Wakonda; her three granddaughters and four great grandchildren, Jennifer Sharples of Alameda, Cal., Sarah Barber and her son Ethan of Camas, Wa,, and Riva Jane Sharples-Schmidt and children Douglas, Andrew and Rebekah Jane of Wakonda. Also surviving are brother-in-law Luke Sharples of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and several nieces and nephews, including Ann Amey of Wichita, Kan., Diane Lemon and Paula Brekke of Des Moines, Iowa, Becky Mohan of Gardena, Calif., Dennis Murphy of Chico, Calif., as well as many friends.

Ruth Annπs parents, husband Tom, infant son David, brother Paul Turner and sister Leanore Senholz preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 30, 2007, at 2:00 PM at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold, Pastor Leila Blackburn of the Griswold United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Griswold Cemetery. Open visitation will be at the Duhn Funeral Home and visitation with the family will begin at 12:30 Friday and run until service time. Memorials may be directed to the Heartland Humane Society, Box 585, Yankton, SD 57078 or the Cass County Museum, Box 254, Griswold, IA 51535.