Ruth M. Serck

Ruth (Hauser) Serck, 89, a long-time resident of Rock Valley, died Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Arbor Springs, a Dementia Specific Skilled Nursing Facility, in West Des Moines, IA. Ruth had been a resident there since November of 2024.

Visitation will be held at Porter Funeral Home in Rock Valley on Wednesday, February 4, from 12:30 to 1:30pm, with the funeral service beginning at 2:00pm. Pastor James Sweers will officiate. Weather permitting, a graveside service will follow at Richland Cemetery in Inwood, Iowa, where she will be laid to rest beside Ron, her husband of 61 years. The funeral service will be livestreamed on Ruth's obituary page.

Ruth was born to Paul and Esther (Oakland) Hauser on November 7, 1936, in rural Lyon County, Iowa. She was born the fifth of seven siblings. Ralph was the oldest, then Anna Marie, Edward and Stanley, all four preceded Ruth in death. After Ruth was born, the last two siblings Kenneth and Carol completed the family. In 1955, Ruth graduated from Inwood High School and afterward, earned an Elementary Teaching degree from Morningside College in 1957.

Ruth married Ron Serck on December 27, 1958, at the Inwood United Methodist Church. During their 61 years together, they raised three children, Steven, Julie, and Jason. Ron passed away on October 7, 2020.

After graduating from Morningside College, Ruth taught in the Rock Valley Community School System, first as a full-time teacher and later, after Steve and Julie came along, she substitute taught for several years. Founding Lollipop Preschool in 1977, was Ruth’s proudest accomplishment for herself and her community. Her youngest son, Jason, was in her first class! For 13 years, Lollipop was located in the basement of Ruth’s home; but in the 14th year, she moved to a building which housed the preschool and she added daycare services. That building still stands between Premier Bank and the hospital. Through the years she touched the lives of several hundred children in Rock Valley and the surrounding area. Whenever she ventured out into the community she was greeted by her former students as “Mrs. Serck.” She recalled them all by name and always had a story or two to share.

Ruth did all this while keeping an impeccably clean house and helping Ron with the yard and garden; home cooked meals, constant laundry, the list goes on. All three kids were involved in school activities that mom and dad would faithfully attend. Ruth would usually have kept supper warm so their kids would have something to eat after a late event. Ruth enjoyed her church family and was an active member of the Pioneer United Methodist Church in Rock Valley for several years. In her spare time, she enjoyed collecting pottery – bowls, plates and pitchers. She had a real “eye” for value and beauty. Apple Wattware was her favorite pottery. She and dad would often drive to Okoboji and find some fun and unique treasures as well. Ruth’s Bridge night was always a special time for her. She loved getting dressed up and spending time with her best friends!

The grandchildren will have many fond memories of visits to Grandma Ruth’s house. Often the grandkids would visit for a few days without parents and those were probably the best times!! Grandma baked cookies, brownies, cakes, always a full candy jar or drawer! She always took time to play games and read with her grandchildren as well. In the summertime, grandpa would set up the trampoline and fill up the pool. The grandkids always enjoyed Christmas in Rock Valley too. Mom decorated and cooked and baked weeks ahead to prepare for her family to make sure we all had a wonderful time together. Her famous line was… “We’re making memories, you know!”

Ruth is survived by her children, Steven Serck of Boiling Springs, NC; Julie (Rob) Hannusch of West Des Moines, IA; and Jason Serck (Debbie Bergstrom) of Superior, WI. Seven grandchildren, Paul, Angela, and Eliza (Steven); Zach and Noah (Julie); Maisie and Bella (Jason) and Debbie’s children, Haley, Jason and Cris. Ruth is also survived by her brother Kenneth (Dorcas) Hauser of Winston-Salem, NC, sister Carol (Hauser) Williams, East Bend, NC, and sister-in- laws Betty Hauser of Inwood, IA, Kathy Hauser of Marengo, IA and Bonnie Driscoll of Muskego, WI. She also has numerous nieces and nephews and their families living in Iowa and across the US.

The family wants to express special thanks to Ruth’s next-door neighbors, Leonard and Evonne Rozeboom and Dorothy Eshuis for looking after Ruth after Ron’s passing in the fall of 2020.

Memorials may be directed to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America online or by check mailed to 322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001.