Ruth Ann ‘Rudi’ Kneer, 84, of McGregor, passed away on July 27, 2026, after a sudden brief illness.
She was born on Oct. 8, 1941, in Muscatine, to Robert and Irma Thorpe. She graduated in 1959 from Muscatine High School and went on to complete beauty school in Davenport.
She married David T. Kneer on Oct. 2, 1960, and together they had three daughters. Their first daughter, Kelli Marcine, was stillborn in 1961. Their second daughter was born in 1963 and their third daughter, Jill, was born in 1965. Their second daughter gave Ruth Ann and David two grandchildren.
Ruth Ann worked as a beautician for a few years, before becoming a full-time homemaker and mother. She started a craft business which she had for many years, going to craft shows in Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. She was passionate about creating things other people would enjoy, making many of her own patterns. She had a small craft shop in DeWitt for a year or so and enjoyed that very much as well.
In 1999, Ruth Ann and her husband moved to McGregor and made it their home. They loved the area and were involved with the library and the McGregor Festival of Trees.
She and her husband enjoyed traveling, especially to Door County, Wis., every year. She collected and loved giraffes, tea pots, baskets, Isabel Bloom statuary, snowmen and Santa Clauses. She enjoyed knitting, sewing and other crafts. Christmas was her favorite time of year, and she decorated the house fully, including several years with over 20 trees.
She was preceded in death by her parents and eldest daughter, along with beloved grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She is survived and missed by her husband, David, and daughter, Jill, as well as a special friend, Lois Reinsager, and many local friends that she enjoyed Thursday morning coffee with.
She was laid to rest on Aug. 3, in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in McGregor.
Donations in Ruth Ann’s name may be made to the McGregor Festival of Trees, P.O. Box 359, McGregor, IA 52157.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of McGregor is assisting the family with services.
