Ruth E. Benedict, 84, of Waterloo died at the Rosewood Estate on Sunday, April 11, 2010.

Ruth Emma Huggett was born February 23, 1926 in Waterloo, Iowa, daughter of Louis and Elizabeth Rhind Huggett.

She married Forest Benedict on February 23, 1946, in Waterloo; he died July 19, 1989.

She graduated from Waterloo West High School in 1943. Ruth was a secretary at Construction Machinery Co. for several years and later for Mayor Leo Roof for five years, retiring in 1981. She was a deaconess at Westminster Presbyterian Church and a volunteer with Cedar Valley Hospice.

Ruth is survived by son Forest (Linda) Benedict of Baton Rouge, LA; son Duane (Debbie) Benedict of Waterloo, IA; four grandchildren: Jason (Carolyn) Benedict, Dirk Benedict, Bethany (Shane) Schellhorn and Reilly Benedict; and six great grandchildren: Cooper, Andrew, Ryan, Tyler, Shayla and Kainen.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister Claire Rule.