In Memory of Ruth Elaine Neville

Ruth Elaine Neville, age 87, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on March 19, 2026, at her residence of Odebolt, Iowa. 

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the Faith Lutheran Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Vicar Travis Brincks will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Ruth Elaine (Peterson) Neville was born September 26, 1938, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the first-born child of Russell and Edna (Olson) Peterson. She graduated from Fort Dodge High School and continued her education at Fort Dodge Junior College, earning a certificate in elementary education. Beginning in 1958, Ruth taught third grade in Odebolt, Iowa, for five years. She also spent two summers studying at the University of Colorado. In later years, she remained connected to education by serving as a substitute teacher in area schools, a role she greatly enjoyed. 

On August 11, 1962, Ruth was united in marriage to Roger N. Neville at Grace Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge. The couple was blessed with four children: Gregory, Connie, David, and Amy. During their 53 years together, they farmed the family farm south of Odebolt before moving into the town of Odebolt in 2002. 

Ruth was a devoted, longtime member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Odebolt. An active presence in the congregation, she participated in numerous groups and served in a variety of roles over the years. Ruth was also an active member of the Ingleside Club and American Legion Auxiliary Post 313. Her hobbies included sewing quilts for her family as well as for church mission work with the Knotty Ladies group.

Ruth and Roger enjoyed attending country and gospel music concerts. They also shared a love of travel, riding their motorcycle through 11 states, and spent two winters working at a snowmobile lodge in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Above all, Ruth found her greatest joy in time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Greg (Mary) Neville of Odebolt, IA, Connie Leinbaugh of Dakota Dunes, SD, Dave (Judy Hein) Neville of Odebolt, IA and Amy (Brian) Dreith of Rolfe, IA; 10 grandchildren: Nathan (Sami) Neville, Garrett (Cherie Mareau) Neville, Kenzie Neville, Tyler (Emily) Leinbaugh, Dalton (Shae) Leinbaugh, Austin (Jess) Neville, Jen Neville, Cati (Wyatt) Klocksiem, Collin Dreith, Danica Dreith; 11 great-grandchildren Jaxin, Bennett and Wyitt Neville, Calliyah and Kelton Mareau, Chloe and Kase Leinbaugh, Harrison and Bridger Leinbaugh, and Lincoln and Charlie Neville; sister-in-law Joyce Peterson of Deming, NM; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Russell and Edna (Olson) Peterson; husband Roger Neville; brother Eugene “Gene” Peterson; in-laws Charlie and Ruth (Rydberg) Neville; and other beloved family members.