Ruby Thomas Named Iowa State Fair Iowan of the Day

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DES MOINES, IA (07/30/2025) (readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to present Ruby Thomas of Coin as a 2025 Iowa State Fair Iowan of the Day.

Outside of her full-time job in Clarinda, Ruby volunteers as the Coin City Council cemetery sexton. Since she assumed this position three years ago, Ruby has transformed Coin's Elmwood Cemetery from a dilapidated graveyard to a model cemetery whose maintenance other cemetery sextons study in order to replicate.

When Ruby first became sexton, the city had no real budget or funds set aside for her work. Through a local fundraising campaign, Ruby raised over $11,000 for cemetery renovations. This total continues to increase today.

Ruby's projects include repairing damaged headstones, resetting tombstones and maintaining the grounds. Her work has impacted families near and far whose loved ones are buried at the Elmwood Cemetery.

Ruby's day of recognition will be Tuesday, August 12, at the 2025 Iowa State Fair. She will be recognized with a presentation on the Anne & Bill Riley Stage at 12:00 PM. Along with accommodations at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown, Ruby will receive Iowa State Fair admission tickets, Grandstand Concert tickets, use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart, VIP parking and a cash prize.

The Iowan of the Day program was founded by the Blue Ribbon Foundation in 1997 to honor outstanding Iowans who have made a difference in their communities. From nearly one hundred nominations, the Iowan of the Day committee selected ten Iowans who demonstrate exceptional integrity, hard work and dedication to their communities.

The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $210 million for the renovation and preservation of the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. For more information, please contact the Blue Ribbon Foundation at 515-262-3111 Ext. 371 or Info@BlueRibbonFoundation.org.