Ruth Arlene Frazier (née Marshall) died peacefully on Wednesday, September 6^th at Taylor House in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 90 surrounded by loved ones.

Ruth is survived by her children, Mark (fiancée Nina) Frazier of Dove Canyon, CA; Scott (Sue) Frazier of Chariton, IA; Brenda (Dan) Chandler of Ankeny, IA; Kurt (Lori) Frazier of Iowa City, IA; grandchildren, Travis (Wendy) Frazier, Nicole (Robert) Zaruba, Tara (Zachary) Ellis, Kenton (Jessica) Chandler, Kathleen (Phillip) Ernst, Ryan (Autumn) Chandler; great-grandchildren, Chloe and Olivia Zaruba, Kory and Kaci Frazier, and Kaya, Lola, and Vivi Ellis; sister, Connie Retherford, Bettendorf, IA; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bernard “Boo” Frazier, Chariton, IA; son, Brad Frazier, Chariton, IA; great-grandson, Noah Zaruba; brothers, William Marshall, Marvin Marshall, and Adam Marshall; and sisters, Alice Frye, Betty Leeper, and Margaret Romine.

Ruth was born on January 7, 1927 in Tipperary, Iowa to Adam and Ruth (née Jamieson) Marshall. She attended Chariton schools, graduating from Chariton High School in 1946.  Ruth was united in marriage to Bernard “Boo” Frazier on April 13, 1947 in Troy, Kansas. Together they had five children, Brad, Mark, Scott, Brenda, and Kurt.

Ruth had a special way of making everyone feel loved and welcome, like a part of her family. She was a member of the Iowa Order of the Eastern Star. Ruth treasured spending time with her family and was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved to travel, especially enjoying her winter trips to visit her son, Mark, and family in California.  She was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and enjoyed attending the games and tailgating for many years. Ruth spent her leisure time reading and bird watching from the porch of the Frazier cabin. Some of her family’s fondest memories were made at the cabin; attending family reunions, watching Hawkeye games, sharing family meals, and being outdoors with Ruth. Her family was her greatest pride and joy, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who all feel so fortunate to have created such wonderful memories with Grandma Ruthie.

A graveside service is scheduled for Monday, September 11^th at 1:30 pm at Chariton Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to Pin Oak Marsh or the Lucas County Historical Society Museum. A celebration of life to be held on Saturday, October 14^th in Chariton, with exact time and location to be announced.  

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