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RuBee Violet Friedow

1904 - 1980

 

RuBee Friedow dies suddenly; rites held

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Britt Congregational United Church of Christ for a well-known member of the Britt community, RuBee Violet Friedow, who died early Saturday morning at Hancock County Memorial Hospital.

The Rev. C. Earl Page officiated with interment at Evergreen Cemetery here and the Carter-Ewing Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Carolyn Dunahue was organist for the services; Mrs. Ray Nelson and Charles T. McLaughlin provided vocal music. Casket bearers included Doyce Friedow, Milton Friedow, Verlyn Friedow, Thomas Hartman, Lee Marchand and Maynard Swanson. Ushers were Wil Freesemaan, R-- Nelson, and Harold Wallen.

RuBee Violet Friedow, daughter of Jacob and Lena Swanson, was born May 8, 1904 in Britt, and she was 76 years, four months and 22 days of age at the time of her death.

She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian Faith and was a member of the Britt Congregational United Church of Christ. RuBee attended the Britt school, graduating with the class of 1921, after graduation she attended college in Chicago and returned to the Britt area and taught in the rural country schools. She was united in marriage to O. W. (Orvin) Friedow on October 10, 1931 at Britt and they made their home on a farm near Britt.

They were very active in the national Poland China Purebred Hog Association and were well known for their Poland China hogs. RuBee returned to college, graduating from Mason City Junior College and later attended Drake University in Des Moines. She taught in the Garner-Hayfield school system and prior to her retirement she taught at the Klemme school.

She was active in her church, being a member of the Church Choir, the Ladies Aid and was Sunday School Superintendent for forty years.

RuBee was a State Board member of Kings Daughters International; a charter member of the Hancock County Historical Society; Hancock County Republican Women; Hancock County Rural Chorus; Britt American Legion Auxiliary; Britt Woman's Club; and the Britt Alumni Association, never missing an alumni banquet in 59 years. She was also a member of the Klemme Senior Citizens, the Klemme Garden Club and other organizations. Flowers had been RuBee's life, all her life.

She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Dennis (Carol) Kline of Britt; one son, Bill Friedow of Buffalo Center; five grandchildren; Rick Kline of Waverly; Rhonda Shippy of Ventura; Dan, Denise and Dwight Kline, all of Britt; two great grandchildren: Reed Shippy and Tony Kline; one brother, Charles Swanson of Underwood, Minn., and one sister, Mrs. Jenny Dimond of Britt.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three sisters and five brothers.

source: News Tribune, Britt, Iowa, 4 Sep 1980, page 1, column 8

 

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