Ruth was the youngest of ten children of George and Jane Ann (Green) Nelson. She was born on July 4, 1923, in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. During World War II she met and fell in love with an American soldier, Karroll Vinsel, who was stationed in her hometown. She came to his hometown - Zearing, Iowa- in May of 1947 and on June 2, 1947, they were married in the Evangelical United Brethren (now United Methodist) Church in Zearing. When asked about leaving Australia and her family to come to the United States, she would smile and reply, "I was meant to be American. I was born on the Fourth of July." Ruth and Karroll welcomed their son Dennis on August 30, 1948. Karilyn DeAnn was born on October 6, 1950 and Vicky arrived on August 19, 1954. Ruth was very much a people person. She was an unusually positive person, who encouraged many. She seldom passed up the chance to hug or to be hugged. She loved the elderly and enjoyed working at the Golden Inn Nursing Home. She and Karroll also loved children and mentored elementary students in McCallsburg for a number of years. Ruth liked to sew and knit. For years she made baby afghans to greet new arrivals. In later years she made hundreds of potholders for the church bazaar or to give as gifts. She was preceded in death by her husband Karroll. She is survived by her son Dennis and his wife Nyo Nyo, who live in Vancouver, Washington; her grandson Jim Vinsel, his wife Mala, daughter Priyanka, and son Arjun Roy, who live in Portland Oregon; her daughter's Karilyn Vinsel of Zearing, and Vicky Vinsel of Ames. Visitation for Ruth will be on Saturday, January 18th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Zearing Christian Church. Funeral services will follow visitation and begin at 11:00 a.m., Pastor Patrick Anderson will officiate. Burial will follow in the Lincoln Township Cemetery in Zearing. Memorials may be sent to the Zearing Christian Church or the Zearing First Responders. Fredregill Funeral Home in Zearing has been entrusted with Ruth and her family. 641-487-7500