Ruby Elaine (Barz) Parris

Ruby Elaine (Barz) Parris (88) fell asleep in the Lord on March 28, 2025, at the Vinton Lutheran Home in Vinton, Iowa, where she had been a resident for just shy of five years.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 4 at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Atkins, IA, with Pastor Doug Woltemath officiating. Internment will be held at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Cemetery near Atkins. Visitation will be held Thursday, April 3 from 4-7 p.m. at the St. Stephen’s Fellowship Hall in Atkins. The family has established a memorial fund.

Ruby was born September 14, 1936, in Eldora, Iowa, as the youngest child of Otto and Martha (Daleske) Barz. Ruby became a child of God through baptism and was later confirmed in her faith at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora, Iowa.

Ruby’s love for learning started as a student attending Eldora Township Country School and Eldora High School, where she graduated in May 1954. Although warned that she’d “never get that Nebraska sand out of her hair,” Ruby headed west to attend Concordia Teachers College where she was a four-year member of the A Cappella Choir. After graduating in 1958, Ruby taught elementary grades at Trinity Lutheran School in Davenport and then in Davenport Public Schools. Later in her career, Ruby primarily taught 6th grade at Eldora Public Schools and then 7th/8th grade language arts at Eldora–New Providence Schools. During these 40 years of teaching, Ruby earned her Masters in Education, several awards, and most importantly the respect and love of her many students who appreciated her quick wit, knowledge, and dry humor.

On April 22, 1961, Ruby married James Parris at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora. They settled in Davenport, Iowa, before moving to Eldora. Ruby was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora and then St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Atkins, Iowa, where the family moved in 2001. She was in choir, LWML, Nimble Fingers Quilters, and the birthday committee, and she taught Sunday School and confirmation classes. In retirement, Ruby kept busy with grandchildren, sewing projects, and word puzzles. She was involved in many community activities, such as the Atkins Library Board, Red Hatters, and Atkins Angels. Ruby and James enjoyed traveling around the country together (especially to the Great Smoky Mountains where James was from), attending grandchildren’s activities, supporting Trinity Lutheran School in Cedar Rapids and later Central Lutheran School, and cheering on the Cubs and Hawkeyes. Ruby also had a particular fondness for correcting grammar. In honor of Ruby, please learn and correctly use the words “good” and “well,” along with when to use “done” and “finished.” Trust us, you will thank yourself later.

Ruby is survived by her children, Martha (Brian) Strong of St. Robert, MO; Frank Parris of Newhall, IA; Florence (Chad) VonKampen of Atkins, IA; son Michael (Yan) Parris of Riceville, IA; and 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Ruby is also survived by her brother Rev. Marvin “Bud” Barz of Wichita, KS, and several beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband James; brother Ernest (Minnie) Barz; sister Ruth (Robert) Balvanz; sister-in-law Marilyn Barz; and nephew Chris Balvanz.

The family wishes to extend their thanks and deepest appreciation to all the staff at the Vinton Lutheran Home, especially the Memory Care Unit, for the loving care Ruby received, as well as the staff of Compassus Hospice Care.

Condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com