Alice Jean (Hofstadter) Baruth

Alice Jean (Hofstadter) Baruth, 75, of Albia, Iowa, peacefully passed on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa surrounded by loved ones. Alice was born on January 17, 1950 in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the fifth of nine children born to Louis Richard and Ella Carolyn (Frese) Hofstadter. She grew up in Waterloo, graduated from East High School, and married Larry Baruth on June 15, 1968 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Iowa. Alice and Larry had 56 years of marriage, and four children: Catherine, Stephanie, Jennifer, and William. After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Human Services from Upper Iowa University, Alice worked in Substance Abuse and Prevention Counseling at Pathways Behavioral Services in Waterloo for many years. Upon retirement, Alice and Larry moved to Albia, Iowa to enjoy the quiet, rolling hills and open sky daily. Alice loved being outdoors, flower gardening, and bird watching. She loved animals and had a special place in her heart for all of the critters the Baruth household collected over the years. Alice enjoyed playing games online, her favorites being Words With Friends, Hearts, Spades, and Scrabble. She was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, enjoyed watching The Big Bang Theory and various cooking shows on television. She loved traveling, reading, and watching movies, had a huge heart, and was very generous. Family was everything to Alice, and she cherished the time she spent with everyone, but especially enjoyed her time with her five grandkids - Rory, Eiri, Echo, AJ, & Lizzie. She never tired of talking about how amazing they each were and how proud she was of them all. Left to mourn her loss are Alice’s husband Larry, children Cathy Baruth (Lon Pluckhahn), Stephanie (Eric) Salman, Jen (Bert) Keeler, Will Baruth, and godson Lonn (Hallie) Kammeyer. Alice is also survived by her five grandchildren, her six siblings, Michael (Carol) Hofstadter, Tom (Janice) Hofstadter, Mary (Lon) Kammeyer, Laurie (Dean) Payne, John (Carol) Hofstadter, and Paul (Maura) Hofstadter, many nieces & nephews, several great nieces & nephews, cousins, and so many wonderful friends. Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Richard & Ella Hofstadter, sisters Carolyn Miller and Susan Johnson, and two brother in laws, Lee Baruth, and Jim Johnson. Family will greet visitors & friends from 11am-noon on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at Tharp Funeral Home, 116 Benton Avenue W, Albia, IA 52531, with a service immediately following at noon. Informal attire is encouraged. Those unable to attend in person are invited to watch the service on the funeral home’s facebook page. In person guests are invited to a luncheon after the service at First Christian Church, 203 Washington Avenue E in Albia and burial is planned for approximately 2:30pm at Selection Cemetery in Monroe County. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to consider a donation to The Trevor Project. You can send donations care of the funeral home and the family will get them donated in Alice’s name

Alice Jean (Hofstadter) Baruth

January 17, 1950 - March 26, 2025