Ruth Courtney

Ruth Courtney, age 74, of Decorah, IA, died Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah, IA. A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah, IA, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs presiding. Burial of ashes will be in St. Bridget’s Cemetery in Bluffton, IA. Friends may call on Monday, March 22, 2010, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, and after 9:30 a.m., at the church on Tuesday morning. There will be a rosary at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Ruth Marie (Boland) Courtney was born on June 12, 1935, to Phillip and Ruey (Regan) Boland in Elkader, Iowa. At the age of four years, she moved to Decorah and was raised by Tom and Helen Donlon. Ruth attended Decorah Community Schools and graduated from Decorah High School in 1953. Ruth married Lawrence Courtney on February 14, 1956, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church and to this union, six children were born: Kevin, Brian, Theresa, Mary, Patrick, and Kelly. They raised their family on the farm near Bluffton, and they later divorced. Ruth worked as a CNA and CMA at the Aase Haugen Nursing Home for twenty-three years, retiring due to her failing health. Ruth was a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah. Ruth’s survivors include four sons: Kevin (Kwang) Courtney, Rushford, MN; Brian (Karen) Courtney, Decorah, IA; Patrick (Sandra) Courtney, Portland, OR; and Kelly (Carrie) Courtney, Decorah, IA. One daughter Mary (Matt) Hemesath, Ridgeway, IA, along with thirteen grandchildren: James (Amber) Courtney, Kris Courtney, Katie Courtney, Chad Courtney, Kristina Falck, Kory (Amy) Courtney, Brooks Courtney, Blake Holthaus, Randy Hageman, Russell Hageman, Dalton Hemesath, Braden Hemesath, and Lucas Courtney. Eight great grandchildren: Mason Falck, Carter Falck, Trey, Madyson and Clare Courtney, Makayla and Anthony Courtney and Sawyer Courtney. Three sisters: Mary Balk, Mason City, IA; Helen Elias, Iowa City, IA and Kathryn (Bernard) Loftsgard, Postville, IA. Two brothers: Tom Donlon, Louisville, KY; and Jim Donlon, Weslaco, TX. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents: Phillip and Ruey (Regan) Boland. Her adoptive parents: Tom and Helen Donlon. One daughter: Theresa in 1963. One grandson: Tony in 2002. Her former husband: Lawrence Courtney in 2002. One sister: Beth Belosky. Five brothers: Edward, John, Kenneth, Jerry and Jim Boland.