Lyon, Ruth Ellen Benson

LYON, Ruth Ellen Benson. (Davenport, IA, 1949-- ) Ruth Ellen Benson was born on January 6, 1949 in Davenport, Iowa. She was the third child born to Alice and Dr. Frank Benson, a local dentist. Ruth was preceded by Elizabeth and Robert and followed by John-- all children who graduated from the DeWitt, Iowa public schools.

Ruth attended the University of Northern Iowa with a major in teaching music. She participated in the Concert Chorale and was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. She was the recipient of the 1971 Purple and Old Gold Award for meritorious scholarship in Music from the University of Northern Iowa. In 1971 she was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. She met and married Randolph W. LYON of Cedar Rapids and they both graduated in 1971.

Ruth and Randy settled in Dubuque, Iowa after graduating. Ruth taught elementary music in the Dubuque Community School District until the birth of their first daughter, Christine in 1975. She then remained home. Their second daughter, Angela, was born in 1977. Ruth remained at home helping to raise the family.

Ruth was a member of the Choraliers, a women’s group who entertained luncheon meetings and nursing home patients. She joined the choir at FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST and its bell choir. Within a few years, she took over the directorship of both. She compiled twenty-five years at the helm of the vocal choir and only a few less years directing the bell choir. She was a member of the Y-Women, Doris Sotherland Lace Guild, and PEO often serving as president of each.

Ruth was always interested in art and took lessons in rosemaling. Her major interest, however, quickly turned to art using thread or yarn. She created many examples of tatting, croquet, embroidery, knitting, cross-stitch, sewing, and bobbin lace.

All of these interests began with a deep interest in quilting. While still a student living in the confines of married student housing, she began work using 40 feet of unbleached muslin to create a stained window quilt.

After their relocation to Dubuque, Ruth took many classes from area quilters. She quickly became a member of the Cable Quilters Guild in which she subsequently held many offices. She was a strong supporter of members taking trips to shows and area businesses supporting the craft. Her own work received many “first” and “seconds” in local competitions.

Ruth originally hand quilted each project. Evolving in the quilting craft, Ruth became more interest in wall quilts. She also took her teaching skills into quilting and regularly offered classes through shops which sold quilting materials. In recent years, on large projects, she has asked for machine quilting partners.

As a mother, Ruth was thrilled seeing the interest in needle art fully flower in her daughters. Christmas vacations brought everyone home with the result that mother-daughters spent happy hours working together on projects. Our daughter in Iowa City freely admits to turning over much of their basement into her “projects room.” The older daughter in California takes full advantage of local authorities who offer classes on embroidery. Ruth has had years of working on quilts with a group of ladies who work together at church.

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Source:

Interview with Ruth Lyon, September 21, 2025