Camp Courageous’ deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends of Ruth Ann Iben, 90, of Monticello, IA.  Ruth Ann and her family were involved with Camp Courageous during some of the Camp’s earliest years, going back nearly 50-years!  .  She began her career with Iben Construction in 1964 and remained its cornerstone even after her son Jay took over the business following her husband, Al’s, passing in 1993. During all those years, up to her passing, she was the glue that held it all together.  She kept the records meticulously, in a business that was going a million different directions, all at 100-MPH.  In addition, she kept a good rein on a team, like her, that had no slow motion.  During camp’s earliest years, the Ibens made sure the Camp’s drives and parking areas were clear of snow.  They would deliver loads of dirt, sand, or gravel as needed, at no charge to Camp.  Over the years, Camp was notorious for constantly borrowing their tools and equipment.  One of the Iben’s first big projects at Camp was the construction of the Multi-Purpose Building, built in 1978.  That project was followed by an indoor pool, attached to the Multi in 1980.  I distinctly remember the Ibens reaction when Bosco, a camp staff’s black lab, walked across the freshly poured pool deck, lucky for the dog, there were lots of witnesses, including campers.  In the 1990s came the Bob South philosophy of, “build it once and built it right”.  The Camp’s Main Lodge was a huge project, funded primarily by Bob & Liz South (Apache Hose) and constructed by Al Iben Construction.  This building was so big, it dwarfed all the other camp buildings combined.  It has a 10,000 square foot main floor and a 10,000 square foot basement.  The old lodge could have fit in the new kitchen.  In addition to the basic structure, it became the hub of everything from water to electricity, so Al, as the General Contractor, had a tremendous amount of coordination with this project.  It cost an unbelievable $25/sq.ft. or $500,000!  It was constructed by a huge number of volunteers.  The project started in November 1991 and was completed five months later, by the last Sunday in April 1992 for the Omelet Breakfast.  Ruth Ann and Al coordinated this whole project, working with all the trades and hundreds of volunteers.  I fondly remember Bob & Liz South coming to camp on a Sunday afternoon to show friends the project, not expecting to see anyone.  Instead, they saw nearly 100 volunteer workers.  Many were part of the Iben crew, along with volunteer Masons from Dubuque doing drywall work, Tom & Cindy Bagge laying out the kitchen, Creighton Randolph mudding the drywall, and Dave Ruhs with a team of electricians doing electrical work.  The Iben Family has been an integral part of the Camp Family all these years, always there for Camp Courageous at any hour.  Al Iben’s passing in 1993, was a real blow to all.  Almost every major project at Camp for decades, involved the Iben Family.  Along with the construction projects, the Ibens never missed a fund raiser, including the Omelet Breakfast, which they generally sponsored.   It has been a tradition for years, every Saturday morning, and sometimes during the week, that Ruth Ann and I would meet at the Post Office, retrieve our mail, and reminisce on the old days.  An incredible life is lost with Ruth Ann’s passing, but what a beautiful legacy she leaves.  Camp Courageous’ sympathy goes out to Ruth Ann’s son, Jay Iben (Jill) who still goes 100 MPH…his picture hangs in my office, always just a call away.  Daughter, Jayne, who played such a huge role, throughout Ruth Ann’s life, but particularly in these latter years, when another set of ears and hands were always welcomed.  Ruth Ann’s warmth, humor, and zest for life were gifts she shared freely with everyone she met.  Ruth Ann’s legacy is one of hard work, love, laughter, and a life well lived…she truly had an extraordinary spirit and will be dearly missed by all who knew her…

-Charlie