Clinton, Iowa - Ruth Frances Drews, 93 passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on December 3, 2025, in Clinton, Iowa. A Funeral Mass occurs at 12 pm on Saturday, December 13 at the Church of the Visitation, Camanche, Iowa. A visitation takes place two-hours prior from 10 am until the time of service at the Church. Burial immediately follows the Funeral Mass at Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Lemke Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Ruth Drews during this difficult time.

Ruth was born on June 19, 1932, to Bernhard and Margaret (Overton) Lemke in Lincoln Nebraska. Her family moved to Clinton Iowa in 1949. Ruth graduated in 1950 from Lyons High School, and married Verne H. Drews on April 25, 1953. Together they had three sons, David, Thomas, and Roger. After the boys were in school Ruth worked for several years as a travel agent.

She enjoyed bowling in the women's league at Clinton Recreation Lanes, golfing at Valley Oaks and the Clinton Country Club, and boating on the Mississippi river. She was a prolific knitter and was known for making sweaters or ponchos for new babies in her family, as well as other garments, comforters and throws. Ruth was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clinton and the Church of the Visitation in Camanche. She and Verne were active in the AMVETS Post 28 and the Moose Club in Clinton and enjoyed entertaining friends and family.

Ruth is survived by her sons Dave (Angie) Drews of Clinton, and Tom (Jane) Drews of Iowa City; grandchildren Rebekah (Shannon) Rursch of Statesville NC, Brad (Jane Kiester) Drews, and Derek Drews of Clinton, Sarah (Thad) Rogers of Oxford, and Emily Drews of North Liberty; great-grandchildren Makennah, Brynlee, Everlee, Sophia, and Maverick; and siblings Bernadine Dehner, John Lemke, Jean Lemke, Roger (Judy) Lemke, Phil (Karlyn) Lemke, and Phyllis Warren.

Preceding her in death are her husband Verne, son Roger, and grandson Daniel; parents Ben and Margaret Lemke, and Henry and Marie Drews; siblings Duane and Mary Willey, George Dehner, Reinhard and Janet Lemke, Ruth Ann Lemke, Karl Lemke, Bill Warren, and Norm and Donna Wessels.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Addington Place of Clinton and the doctors, nurses and staff of Compassus Hospice for their loving care of their mother.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the "YWCA Children's Center" at https://www.ywcaclinton.org/ in Ruth's name.

Fond memories and condolences for Ruth's family may be shared at www.lemkefuneralhomes.com, obituary page.