Ruth Yates

Ruth Adeline (Rentz) Yates, while surrounded by those who love her deeply, passed away peacefully into the loving arms of her beloved Jesus, at her home in rural Madelia on the 16th day of May, 2013, at the age of 78, after six months of battling cancer. Ruth was born on May 21st, 1934 in Watonwan County to Fred and Melida (Klaviter) Rentz. She attended an olde tyme country schoolhouse through 8th grade, later, graduating from St. James High School. Ruth confirmed her Christian faith at St. James Lutheran Church in St. James, MN. She volunteered as secretary of the Watona Saddle Club before joining the Madelia Saddle Club. Ruth married Russell Bush "Buster" Yates on September 19th, 1953 at the Little Brown Church in the Vale, Nashua, IA. Living on the Yates family farm kept her busy as a rodeo and horseshow participant and host, Yates Museum curator, shepherd, swineherd, poulterer, bison rancher, Christmas tree arborist, and other contentious entrepreneurships. She was a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader and Camp Courage trail rider. Ruth documented her research regarding the Younger Brothers Gang in her booklet titled Before Their Identity. Ruth's biological immortality is represented by her eight children: Adeline Yates / Nagel, Elvie Yates, Dev (Tom) Flitter, George (Joan) Yates, Ed Yates, Jen (Mike) Smith, Roy (Jenny) Yates and Jim (Chris) Yates. She also has seventeen grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and a brother, Leo (Carol) Rentz. Over her lifetime Ruth enjoyed gardening, sewing, quilting, historical scrap-booking, genealogy, horseback riding, and was a self-taught accordion and piano player. Now she finds peace in God's garden. Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, who passed in 1988, her parents Fred and Melida (Klaviter) Rentz, brother Robert (Eva) Rentz and infant sister Florence Rentz. A memorial service celebrating Ruth's life is to be held at a later date. Interment Information Riverside Cemetery, Madelia East, Co. Hwy 3, Flanders Ave. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062