Ruth James of Dubuque, formerly of Guttenberg, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, April 25, 2026, with loving family at her side.

She was a true “firecracker,” born on July 4, 1942, in Clayton, daughter of Grant and Oceania Fischer. She had one brother, Robert, and one sister, Sharon.

Ruth married Dennis James on June 9, 1962, at St. Peter American Lutheran Church in her hometown of Garnavillo. The couple made their home in Millville, where they raised three children, Kristine, Kimberly, and Kevin James.

She worked at several locations in Guttenberg, including Ever’s Ben Franklin, the Guttenberg Pharmacy, the Fatted Calf Restaurant, Products Unlimited, and she was the deli supervisor at Mackey’s SuperValu. She also took a class with Wilton and made ornate wedding cakes for many couples in the area. After moving to Dubuque, she worked at Betty Jane Candies, so family and friends always had the best birthday cakes and plenty of treats.

In 2006, Ruth and Dennis moved to Dubuque, where she made many friends and enjoyed local activities. A life-long lover of gardening, she was a volunteer at the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. A memorial brick will be placed there in her honor. Another passion was making hand-crocheted blankets for new babies, and many children were blessed with them over the years.

Those left to honor her memory are three children, Kristine Carrier of West Des Moines, Kimberly James of Dubuque, Kevin James of Cabot, Ariz.; grandsons, Anthony Carrier and wife Amber, and Angel Carrier, all of West Des Moines, and her brother, Robert Fischer, along with a niece and four nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; parents-in-law, Orval and Edith James; her sister, Sharon Henning and brother-in-law, Vernon Henning, and sister-in-law, Judine Fischer.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the medical staff of MercyOne Medical Center, Stonehill Health Center, and Hospice of Dubuque. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.