Ruth Frances (Cunningham) Hickson

Ruth F. Hickson, 91, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at home surrounded by her family.

Friends and family may visit from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at The Journey Assembly of God Church, 3939 Pennsylvania Ave.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church with Pastor Terry Bemis officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later date at Linwood Cemetery in Dubuque. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, is assisting the family.

Ruth was born on September 29, 1933, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Francis Cunningham and Cora Shores. She married Joseph Hickson on September 17th, 1955, and together they shared 62 loving years until Joe’s passing in 2018. Ruth worked at Finley Hospital in Dubuque as an Admitting Clerk for 28 years. She received the Caring Hearts Award. She made hats for the Dubuque Rescue Mission, cancer patients, and newborns. Her favorite show was General Hospital – you knew not to call between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.!

Ruth is survived by her children, Rick (Regina) Hickson of Bumpus Mills, TN, Pat (Kathy) Hickson of Dubuque, Karen Conrad of Epworth, Ellen (Bob) Sarazin of Dubuque, and Jolene (Fiancé Stanley Kane) Arensdorf of Dubuque; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; brother David (Linda) Cunningham of Windsor, Oregon; brother-in-law, Robert (Rosie) Hickson of Bellevue, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph, parents Francis Cunningham and Cora Kratz, sister Naomi (Ray) Polsean, parents-in-law Frank and Edna Hickson, and brother-in-law Raymond Hickson.

A special thank you to Hospice of Dubuque and her loving granddaughters for their kindness and amazing care during this difficult time.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.