Extending a Legacy

Ruth and Eugene Harris lived in Ames, Iowa for more than 60 years where they owned and operated Harris TV and Appliance. When Gene passed away in December of 2014, Ruth began withdrawing $100,000 (nontaxed) from his IRA every year to benefit several nonprofits in the area that were important to them both.

Ruth now lives in Des Moines, but still feels that Ames is her home. She continues to make a difference there. “With Gene’s IRA, I can give back for what we received from the community over the years,” she says.

The Mary Greeley Medical Center Foundation is among the charities Ruth supports. She served on the Mary Greeley Medical Center Auxiliary Board for 20 years and volunteered in the Surgical Waiting Room and Hop Shop for many, many years.

“I worked in the Hop Shop when the manager was Mrs. Mather,” she says. “Way back then, the hospital was still small with just one addition.” Since then, Ruth has seen the expansion of the hospital over the course of several decades and whole-heartedly believes in the good work Mary Greeley is doing.

At 87 years young, Ruth continues to model the giving philosophy she hopes to pass along to her family. “One thing we’ve tried to instill in our kids, grandkids and great grandkids is to pay it forward and help others whenever we can,” she says. Her kind and philanthropic spirit serves as an example not only to her family, but to all who know her.

Let Us Help

You don’t need to be an expert in retirement planning to make a gift from your IRA. Let us walk you through it and share all the ways your gift makes a difference at Mary Greeley Medical Center. Contact Sarah Heineman at 515-239-2421 or heineman@mgmc.com to get started today.