Alan August Ruther

Alan August Ruther, 88, of Ogden, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, Iowa.

A celebration of Alan’s life will be held at a later date. Carson-Stapp Funeral Home in Ogden has been entrusted with arrangements.

Alan August Ruther, son of August and Lavina (Hall) Ruther was born on October 20, 1937, in Jefferson, Iowa. Alan graduated from Boxholm High School with the Class of 1956.

On July 20, 1960, Alan was united in marriage to the love of his life, Jo Ann Weyer of Woodward, Iowa, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Boxholm, Iowa.

Alan worked at the Iowa Department of Transportation in the Bridge Inspection Department initially in Jefferson out in the field at bridge sites and then transitioned into the office in Ames, Iowa, for nearly 45 years.

Alan was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ogden.

Alan was diagnosed with juvenile onset (Type-1 insulin dependent) diabetes at age 15. With his meticulous monitoring and perseverance, alongside Jo Ann’s assistance, Alan was a model for managing Type 1 diabetes effectively.

Alan and Jo Ann greatly enjoyed attending Knoxville sprint car races and listening to classic country music. Alan enjoyed woodworking, gardening, yard work, watching Iowa PBS, anything chocolate, and reading about science and astrophysics. Alan was always ready with a joke or riddle and loved to create laughter wherever he went.

In addition to his parents, Alan was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Ann just six months ago; sisters, Lavonne and Norma; and brother, Kyle.

Survivors include Alan and Jo Ann’s four children, Mark Ruther and his wife Susan, and their children Rachel and Caleb with wife Victoria, all of San Antonio, Texas; Carol Smith and her husband, Dr. Roderick Smith, and their sons Jonathon and Jarrett, all of Fenton, Michigan; Marva Ruther of Ames, Iowa; and Paul Ruther and his sons Thomas MacTavish of Castle Rock, Colorado, and Noah Ruther of Iowa City, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial cards may be sent to Marva Ruther, 1410 Grand Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010, in memory of Alan August Ruther.