Gayla Ruiz, 79, of Hiawatha, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life service in the near future. Please share your thoughts, memories, and condolences with them by using the Guestbook .

Gayla Jeanne Ridenour was born on September 8, 1946, in Manchester, IA, the daughter of Elmer and Letha (Miller) Ridenour. She attended Delaware Community Schools and graduated from Maquoketa High School in the Class of 1964.  She attended Young's Cosmetology  College and obtained her license and later attended Kirkwood Community College obtaining a para legal degree.

November 21, 1964 she married Barton Kirkwood. The family made their home in Hopkinton until Barton's death in 1975. A short time later she moved to Cedar Rapids, where she became involved in the Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association.  She married Jose Ruiz, they enjoyed 30 plus years together before he passed away in 2020.

She was considered a wonderful caregiver and was employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant, and a manager of food service at Mercy Medical Center.

For the last three years she has resided at the Hiawatha Care Center, where she was active not only as a resident, but also helped the aides with her fellow residents. She enjoyed bingo, solitaire, listening to country music, watching the QVC channel, and doing various arts and crafts.

She is survived by her daughters Brenda Kirkwood and Gwen Kirkwood, grandchildren Amber (James) Ward, Jasmine Tjaden, Joseph (Justina) Kirkwood, Lindsey (Ed) Ortiz, Devin (Kylie) Dixon, Olyvia Dixon, Lauren (Ali Matan) Dixon, and Naudia Dixon, several great grandchildren, a great-great grandson, and her siblings Brad (Ann) Ridenour and Kent Ridenour.

In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister and brother-in-law Connie and Ray Rupe.

Gayla's family wishes to thank the staff of the Mercy Medical Center and the Hiawatha Care Center for the wonderful care and compassion she received.