Ruth Mary "Benning" Ivey

Ruth Mary (Benning) Ivey was born on June 10, 1930 to Walter and Norma (Droege) Benning in Dillsboro, Indiana, a small farming community near the Ohio River. Both sides of her family immigrated to the United States from Germany in the early 1800's, drawn by the possibilities of new freedoms and opportunities to own farms and also attracted to the thriving German communities in and around Cincinnati.
Ruth attended grade school in a one room schoolhouse in Farmer's retreat. Her love of music began in second grade when a new "Music and Arts" class arrived with a teacher who played the violin. Ruth lived with her parents on their family farm but attended middle school and high school in Dillsboro. She graduated Valedictorian from her class at Dillsboro High in 1948.
Ruth inherited an independent and strong spirit from her mother Norma (Droege) Benning. With encouragement from her teachers, she enrolled at Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Illinois. By the age of 19, she was taking classes at Concordia and working part-time at a nearby private home providing child care and helping with housekeeping to help pay her way.
Ruth attended Concordia for two years and taught elementary school in Iowa for one year. She first met Carl Ivey at a Walther League (Lutheran Youth Organization) event in southeastern Indiana. They were both attending Concordia when on Sadie Hawkins Day she asked him to the dance. They were married August 16, 1952. Fifty years later all their children, along with extended family, relatives and dear friends gathered from around the country to celebrate their Silver Anniversary at that same St. John's Lutheran church in Farmer's Retreat. They were married for 59 years.
Ruth and Carl were blessed with six children: Julie, Mary & husband Scott, John & wife Diane, Dan & wife Mandy, Steve & wife Linda, Mark & wife Nicole. All six survive Ruth. She has 7 grandchildren: Mary Elizabeth, Jesse, Joe, Jason, Michael, Jack, and Noah. 6 great grandsons: Jonathan, Jacob, Zach, Isaiah, Eli, and Silas, and 2 great great grandchildren: Sophia and Eric. One grandson, Eric Childers, preceded Ruth in death as did her husband Carl. Ruth's brother David Benning and wife Jean live in the Dillsboro area, close to their two sons, two daughters, and their families.
Ruth's training as an elementary school teacher contributed to her abilities as an exceptional mother. With her faith as her foundation and classical music as her joy she managed to raise a large family on a teacher's salary. She also managed to keep a calm and well-ordered household despite frequent relocations. Ruth loved to play the piano and instilled the love of music in her children. When asked recently, she said her favorite homes were on Faith Court in Albuquerque and at the north end of Limit Street in Mountainair. For years she enjoyed being a part of the Mountainair Community Choir, the Coronado Club and the Everyone is Welcome Bible Class. She and Carl made Mountainair their home and community for 40 years.
Ruth was known to family and friends as a welcoming, intelligent, and caring person. She could magically stretch her planned meals for 8 into enough food to feed any number of surprise guests Carl and the kids would bring home. She nurtured so many throughout her life and taught by example.
The family is grateful for the wonderful staff at the Beehive Home in Bosque Farms and at Ambercare of Belen. Special thanks to Sherry Marin for her long friendship, care, and extra efforts to escort and transport Ruth and wheelchair to church, community events and family gatherings.
Special thanks to Chaplain Richard Garcia, Pastors Dustin Kear, Bonnie Hardesty, and Keith Smith for their care, prayers, and visits.
Ruth and Carl were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Albuquerque where all six of their children attended school. Dear and lifelong friends Helen and Alan Geuder taught all the Ivey children there.
Many thanks to dear friends in Mountainair and Albuquerque who took the time to visit Ruth in recent months.
A memorial service will be held Sunday January 25th, 2026 at 1pm at the Mountainair United Methodist Church 209 S. Sunset Ave. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church and School - 300 Gold Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Ruth will be buried in a private ceremony with Carl, the love of her life, by her side.
Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, where an online guest register is available at www.noblin.com