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Ruth Scallon, 94, of Iowa Falls, passed away Monday, March 28, 2022 at Scenic Manor. Funeral mass will be 3:00 PM Saturday, April 2, 2022 at St. Mark Catholic Church in Iowa Falls. She will be laid to rest at the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Ackley. Visitation will be from 5:00-6:30 PM on Friday, April 1 with a time of sharing at 6:30 PM at the Counsell Woodley Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. Click here to join live broadcast of Ruth's Memorial Mass Ruth Gertrude Oppold was born on April 4, 1927 to Robert and Gertrude (Lamm) Oppold. She was the sixth of eight siblings. Following her graduation from Ackley High School in 1945, she became an American Airlines Radio Operator, training in Kansas City and working in Dayton, Ohio. On February 15, 1947 she married her sweetheart, James Scallon. They farmed near Parkersburg until moving to farm north of Iowa Falls in 1954 where they raised seven children. Ruth’s family life was centered around her family, the church and serving others. She loved being a mother and a grandmother. Going to Grandma’s house was always a special treat for her grandchildren. Ruth enjoyed a good game of bridge (in fact any card game) with her friends and family. She was a willing traveling companion and accompanied her Jim to countries in South America and Europe. As a member of St. Mark Catholic Church, she was actively involved in the Spiritual Life Committee, Christian Family Movement, Women’s Circle and Cursillo Retreats. She also served as a Eucharist Minister for many years. Ruth was ecumenically minded and an active member of Church Women United. With that organization she was instrumental in the start-up of the Thrift Shop in 1974, continuing in a leadership role for many years. Volunteering at the Thrift Shop gave her great spiritual satisfaction through the camaraderie of Christian women and knowing how many lives were touched. She also contributed to the Iowa Falls community by serving on the Edgewood Board and local hospital auxiliary. She received the Iowa Falls Community Service Award in 2005. Ruth’s words to live by were “Jesus came to teach us the way to live by ministering to the sick, the lonely, the hungry, [and] the needy. We were made to love Him, and serve Him and be happy with Him through all eternity.” Ruth Scallon is survived by her children, Mary Van Valkenburgh of Long Beach CA, Rita (Glenn) Ballew of Overland Park KS, Joe (Linda) Scallon of Iowa Falls, Louis (Cosette) Scallon of Ames, Bill Scallon of Galena IL, Kathy (Carl) Wackerle of Madison WI and Robert (Jennifer) Scallon of Clive; 21 grandchildren: John, Michael (Kelli), and Shawn Van Valkenburgh, Ann Marie (fiancé Scott Jackson) and David (Sara) Ballew, Sara (Craig) Bonney, Mark (Jenon), Amy (Vince) Geis, John (Kelsey) Scallon, Greg (Etasha), Ben (Victoria), and Nick (Bree) Scallon, James Scallon, Alex and Christine (fiancé Richie Anfinsen) Wackerle, Kyle and Maria (fiancé Arman Cicic) McMahon, Savannah, Amelia, Spencer, and Carter Scallon; 12 great grandchildren; in-laws: Gladys Oppold and Jack (Marge), Gene (Eileen), Vince (Janet) Scallon as well as many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, James of forty-four years; daughters, Jean and Susan Scallon; her parents, Robert and Gertrude Oppold; and her siblings and their spouses: Evelyn (Harry) Lawless, Francis (Peggy), Melvin (Agnes Mary), Edmund (Majory), Robert (Patricia), James (Mary Ann) and Joe Oppold. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Church Women United/Thrift Shop of Iowa Falls.

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Ruth Scallon

April 4, 1927 - March 28, 2022