Ruth Noelck

Ruth Marjorie Noelck was born on July 2, 1946, the daughter of Lloyd and Laura "Alice" (Hamblen) Yankey in Vail, Iowa. She was baptized at the United Presbyterian Church in Vail. Ruth began her education at a country school near Vail, where her teacher boarded with the Yankey family during the school year. She later attended Ar-We-Va Community School and graduated with the Class of 1964. Continuing her education, Ruth attended Morningside College, earning her degree in elementary education in 1968.

On December 19, 1965, Ruth was united in marriage with Royce Noelck at the United Presbyterian Church in Vail. The couple made their first home in Sioux City, where they welcomed their first daughter, Patty. They later returned to the Yankey family farm, and Ruth commuted to Manning, where she taught elementary school until the birth of their second daughter, Kathy. She then began teaching at Ar-We-Va Community School, where she devoted more than 30 years to educating young students.

A lifelong member of the United Presbyterian Church in Vail, Ruth faithfully served as the church organist, beginning in the eighth grade and continuing throughout her life. She found great joy in tending her vegetable and flower gardens, and she and Royce enjoyed preserving their harvest by canning together. Ruth was also an accomplished quilter, quilting with the church group and lovingly making quilts for her family. She was an avid reader and treasured time spent with those she loved. Family holidays were especially meaningful to her, and she always looked forward to the annual Easter egg hunt and coloring Easter eggs with her children and grandchildren, creating memories that will be cherished for generations.

Ruth passed away on Friday, July 31, 2026, at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll, at the age of 80 years and 29 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Sarah Sue Bendlin; three sisters: Myrna (Roger) Mohr, Janet Lansink and Judith Yankey in infancy; parents-in-law, Elmer and Inez Noelck; and sister-in-law, Deanna (Robert) Miller.

Ruth is survived by her husband of over 60 years, Royce Noelck of Vail; daughters: Patty (Robert) Bendlin of LeMars and Kathy (Teige) Melby of Logan; four grandchildren: Lucas Bendlin (Sierra Nighswonger) of Council Bluffs, Logan (Tori) Melby of Magnolia, Morgan Melby of Omaha, Nebraska and Emma Bendlin of Rock Rapids; great-grandson, Henry Bendlin; aunt, LaMae Hamblen of Omaha, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Richard Lansink of Ida Grove; numerous nieces, nephews, cousin and other family members and friends.

Visitation with the family greeting friends will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a prayer service to begin at 6:00 p.m., all at the United Presbyterian Church in Vail. Inurnmeny will be held at a later date with the family in the Vail Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Ar-We-Va Foundation or family wishes.