Obituary of Ruth A. Barnhart

Ruth A. Barnhart, 72, of Iowa City, died Monday, December 24, 2018, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Memorial services will be held at 1pm Saturday, January 5, 2019, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. A memorial fund has been established in her memory.  To share a thought, memory or condolence please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.

Ruth Alice Lukavsky was born on August 26, 1946, in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Edwin and Anna (Harbit) Lukavsky.  She grew up in Washington, graduating from Washington High School with the Class of 1964.  Many in Washington will remember the “Lukavsky Girls” working at Winga’s at some time in their lives, Ruth was one of them! Moving to Iowa City she began a career with Johnson County Motor Vehicle that spanned over 30 years.  Ruth loved her family, enjoyed her cats and going to the casino.

Her family includes her husband, Mario; daughters, Melody Mara (fiancée, Mike Kerker) and Nikki Barnhart; granddaughter, Breanna Mara; Ruth’s sibilings, Helen Kurtz, Shirley McGraw, Kenneth Lukavsky, Robert Lukavsky (Janet), Marge Schrock (Devon), Joyce Scratton (Paul) and Dennis Lukavsky (Diane).  She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Donald Lukavsky and brother-in-law, Alan Kurtz.