Ruth Joffer

Sioux Falls, SD: Ruth E. Joffer, 87, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, formerly of Inwood, Iowa, died Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 21 at 10:15 AM at The Inn on Westport in Sioux Falls with Marc Anderson officiating. Prior to the memorial service, burial will be held at Richland Cemetery of Inwood, Iowa. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Friday, July 20 at Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley, Iowa from 5:30-7:00 PM.

Ruth Evelyn Joffer, daughter of Arie and Bertha (Hoogshagen) Breed, was born August 7, 1930. Ruth met the love of her life, John Joffer, at the Fairview Reformed Church in Fairview, South Dakota. The couple married in Fairview on May 26, 1950 at the pastor’s home. Ruth and John briefly lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota before moving to Lennox, South Dakota for 4 years. The couple then settled at a farm near Inwood, Iowa where they built a house and lived for over 60 years. In 2014, the couple moved to The Inn on Westport in Sioux Falls. John died November 4, 2014.

Living on the farm, Ruth was a dedicated homemaker. She had a wonderful vegetable garden, strawberry patch and beautiful flowers. With the harvest from the gardens, she enjoyed canning, freezing sweet corn, making jam, and cooking. Ruth was an excellent cook and while she had so many wonderful recipes, angel food cake with fresh strawberries was a family favorite. Later in life Ruth battled cancer for several years. She always remained strong in her faith and attitude. Ruth was a member of the First Reformed Church in Rock Valley, Iowa. She will be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother.

Ruth is survived by three children, Jim (Lois) Joffer of Sioux Center, Iowa; Sandra (David) Jennett of Creston, Iowa and Keith (Julie) Joffer of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; brother-in-law, Charles (Coral) Joffer of Parker, South Dakota; and sisters-in-law, Helena (Harold) Lawrence of Sioux City, Iowa; Elsie Schmidt of Marion, South Dakota; Janice (Richard) Thompson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sarena (George) Breza of Maryland and Millie Joffer of Brooten, Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arie and Bertha Breed; husband of 64 years, John Joffer; infant children, Ruth Jane, Mark Henry, and infant daughter; brother, Jake (Joan) Breed; and sister Pearl (Fred) Haggar.