Ruth Golly Maxwell was born in Zearing, Iowa on November 17, 1932, and joined her heavenly home on January 21, 2025. Her parents were John and Viola Cameron Golly. She attended Lincoln township School in Zearing. After High School she attended ISTC 1950 to 1952 getting her kindergarten/primary teaching certificate. After graduation, she accepted a job teaching 2nd grade in Maxwell, Iowa where she met her husband Maurice (Buck) Maxwell. Her whole class of 37 were invited and sat in the balcony so they could see. Ruth took 4 years off when their sons Rod and Rich were born. When she decided it was time to go back to doing what she enjoyed so much she took a job at Ballard-Slater teaching a split 1st – 2nd grade classroom. Slater was a wonderful place to teach high morals and cooperative parents. While in the split room, she fell in love with the 1st graders. From that time, she was always involved with 1st graders. After 5 years in Slater, she accepted a 1st grade position in the Shipley, Nevada School district. Then she returned to Slater for 4 more years. While there she received the "Outstanding Young Educator" award and her BS in education along with a pay scale raise. While still there, she was encouraged to apply in Ames, which she did, and got the job that day. She taught there for 21 years. Always having a positive attitude, it carried over nicely with principal Herb Hatch who always saw the good in everyone, Ruth too. Example: their rules chart didn't have the word don't in any rule. They made all rules positive and then voted on them, and if someone got off track, all she had to do was ask "How did YOU VOTE"? Problem Solved! Later she used, "I caught you" plus a positive comment for sharing with parents. Both parents and students welcomed them. During and much of the 21 years in Ames, we were multi aged reading and math for 6-, 7-, and 8-year-olds, kindergarten children for reading only. In 1988, her husband had bypass surgery, which did not go well and in 1990, Ruth decided to retire early and go to Arizona, which was Buck's wish. They had 10 good years together there. After his death, she needed purpose, so she volunteered for 7 years teaching reading in the public school in Mesa, Arizona. While there she received the "Volunteer of the Year" award. After her second retirement, she tutored reading, sky dived and at 83 moved her park model and all her belongings to another park where she met Roger. They were together for 10 years; traveling in his motor home. The Maxwells always thought of the Wagners as part of their family.

A memorial service honoring Ruth's life will be held at a later date.

Ruth is survived by her son Rod (Mary) Maxwell of Maxwell; her grandchildren; Jason (Kerri) Maxwell, Alisa Maxwell and John (Abby) Maxwell; and her great-grandchildren: Tucker, Karlie (fiancé Taylor Wirth), Faith, Tatum, Dakota, Sawyer, Scout, Layne, Maxwell and Dex along with many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, John and Viola Golly; husband, Maurice (Buck) Maxwell, and longtime dear friend, Roger Wagner; her brothers, Marvin (Virginia) Golly, Hartley (Alberta) Golly, Rodney (Duane) (Loraine) Golly, Warren (Aina) Golly, Donald Dee Golly, Leonard (Faye) Golly.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Windsor Manor and Suncrest Hospice for the loving care of Ruth.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Maxwell Presbyterian Church or the Maxwell Area Community Center.