Ruth M. DeVries

Ruth (Reynolds) Jacobsen DeVries, 91, passed away March 4, 2024. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines with burial at Resthaven Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time on Wednesday at McLaren’s.

Ruth was born December 30, 1932 in Perry, IA to Frank and Hazel Reynolds. She graduated from North High School class of 1951 and Drake University with her undergraduate in 1974 and graduate in 1980. Ruth taught at Lincoln High School in Des Moines and DMACC at both the Ankeny and Urban Campuses. Ruth also work at a variety of businesses in and around Des Moines, Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA.

Ruth had many interests that included her children and grandchildren, church, golf, women’s issues, education, and bridge. She was active in her church serving on numerous committees including UMW and Esther Miriam Circle. Ruth was also on the following boards: Iowa Women’s Golf Association, West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation, Easter Seals Iowa, and Polk County Extension Council, and a board member of the first Iowa State Foster Care Review Board. Ruth was also active in the ISU Curators Association, Women and Philanthropy, and PEO Chapter GI.

Ruth is survived by her sons, Richard and Todd (Tresa) Jacobsen; four grandchildren, Maggie (Saul), John, Julia, and Jerome; five great-grandchildren, Lily, Charley, Hollyn, Finnick, and Scarlett. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Glen and Jack Reynolds; sisters, Grace Rose and Barbara Jacobs; and son, Scott Jacobsen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the American Heart Association, Bidwell Riverside center or Toys for Tots.