Welcome to On With Life!

Margaret ‘Ruth' Sandvick

June 7, 1926-Sept. 3, 2010
Margaret “Ruth” Sandvick, 84, of Ankeny, died Friday, Sept. 3, 2010, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 8, at Bondurant Federated Church, 103 Second St. SW, Bondurant. Burial will be in Cory Grove Cemetery in Elkhart.

Margaret “Ruth” Sandvick was born June 7, 1926, in Elkhart, to Mystie and Pearl Clyde Stemler.

Ruth was one of the founders of On With Life, a rehabilitation center for brain-injured people and was a resident advocate for 17 years. She was a board member for Central Iowa Brain Injury, where she served for 21 years. She was also a member of Bondurant Federated Church.

Some of her greatest hobbies included playing cards, her love for gardening, reading, making jewelry and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her children, Marcene Olson, Marvin Sandvick, and Myron Sandvick; seven grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, two step great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Pat Sandvick; and two brothers, Fred (Marlene) Stemler and Bob (Lorraine) Stemler.

Memorial contributions may be made to On With Life or Bondurant Federated Church in loving memory of Margaret “Ruth” Sandvick.

Online condolences can be sent to Hamilton's Funeral Home.

The 10th Annual Fall Conference Announced

Judy Hilt, Nurse Consultant, Marketing Director with On With Life at Ankeny announced the 10th Annual Fall Conference will be held on September 24, 2010, at the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) campus. For more details and to sign up for the conference, click here.

On With Life's 19th Annual Reunion

On Saturday, August 7, 2010, On With Life at Ankeny will hold it's 19th annual reunion. This year's theme is "Rock 'n Roll" and will have live music, classic cars, games and great food. The reunion will start at 11:00 a.m. and go to 2:00 p.m. Hope to see you there!

Outpatient House Looks For a New Home

On July 2, 2010, the Yellow House (Outpatient House) took a ride to On With Life at Ankeny. You can see the video by clicking on the Services button, then selecting "OWL Outpatient Program."

Senator Visits On With Life

On June 4, 2010, Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) visited On With Life. After a tour of the facility, Senator Grassley visited with staff, family members and persons served and then answered questions concerning the future of brain injury rehabilitation. View the Q&A session HERE.