Ruth Marie (Sims) Benjamin was born on May 2, 1920 in Corning, Iowa, the daughter of John and Vesta (Richey) Sims. Ruth entered into eternal rest on Monday, May 9, 2011 in Shenandoah, Iowa at the age of 91 years.

Ruth graduated from Farragut High School with the Class of 1937. She then attended the American School of Commerce in Omaha and returned to Sidney, Iowa to work in the AAA office. She married Jack Benjamin on April 13, 1930. The couple had two children, a son John Stanley and a daughter Luanne Marie.

They moved from Sidney to Shenandoah where Ruth worked for Mount Arbor Nursery and Economy Stock Powder Company. During World War II she worked in the Navy Yard at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as secretary to the Machinery Superintendent of the Navy Yard. When the war ended they returned to Shenandoah.

In 1950 they started, along with partners Frank and Kay Walden, the Shenandoah Printing Company. Later they bought the Walden's interest in the printing company, and started Rodeo Printers. Both companies furnished rodeo advertising for rodeos across the United States and Canada. Due to Jack's health problems, the shop was sold to their son John in 1972. During this time Ruth also worked at Central Surveys and Tidy House, before leaving work full time in the print shop.

After Jack died in 1974, Ruth started spending the winter months in Bullhead City, Arizona as long as her health permitted.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jack; and her daughter Luanne. She is survived by her son John Benjamin and wife Peggy; granddaughter Lori Stevens and husband Jim; grandson Todd Benjamin and wife Debra; five great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; special friend Lynda Dickerson; and several cousins.