Ruth Ann “Annie” Teff, 80, of Sun City, Arizona, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at Hospice of the Valley in Glendale, Arizona.

Ruth Ann Klocke was born in Waukon, Iowa, on May 30, 1946, to Reuben and Margaret (Miene) Klocke, joining her older siblings, Betty and Merlyn. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, Postville, Iowa. Annie attended Ludlow Country School and graduated from Waukon High School where she was a drummer in the band and was named Class Valedictorian in 1964.

On April 20,1968, Ruth Ann married Wes Wicks. The couple lived in Decorah, Iowa, and were blessed with three boys: Warren Wesley, Shane Ray, and Ryan Michael, all of whom became engineers. Annie’s three sons, her daughters-in-law, and her six grandchildren were her greatest joys in life.

Over the years, Annie worked at various jobs including being an in-home daycare provider, serving as a secretary at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, working as an assistant assessor at the Winneshiek County Assessor’s office, Decorah, IA, and as a media center assistant at Sunrise Mountain High School, Peoria, AZ.

After reconnecting with high school classmate, Robert “Bob” Teff, Annie moved to Peoria, Arizona. Annie and Bob Teff were united in marriage on March 7, 1996, on top of Piestewa Peak in Phoenix, AZ. After Bob passed away in April of 2001, Annie moved to Sun City, where she became very involved in activities at the Recreation Centers of Sun City, taking part in clay and jewelry classes, and especially daily swimming and exercise with water weights. Annie had a great network of friends from the pool.

Faith was central to Annie’s life. She was an active member of Willowbrook United Methodist Church in Sun City, as a Stephen Minister, caring for others and offering comfort wherever she could. An inspirational quote of Annie’s was: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” –John Wesley

Annie’s great love for animals was evident in her artwork, decor, and lifestyle. Annie loved to feed the birds, view wildlife in her backyard and on her travels, and she enjoyed fishing. Annie loved all of God’s creatures, even snakes, lizards, and spiders. Annie cherished the many dogs she kept as pets her entire life. In recent years, Annie was well-known in Sun City and her three boys’ neighborhoods in Iowa as the lady who was always out walking her little white dogs: Buffy and Tiger.

Annie was an adventurous woman who loved to hike and travel. She was active in the Sun City Hikers Club and hiked the Grand Canyon in her 60s. Every summer, Annie drove from Arizona to Iowa to spend several months with her family. In recent years, Annie traveled to Costa Rica, Hawaii, and Africa. Annie had a zest for life and an infectious laugh. She loved to sing, dance, talk on the phone, drink red wine, go to movies, eat popcorn, attend church, create artwork, wear dangle earrings, swim, and walk her dogs. She lived life to the fullest until he very end.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Warren (Christie) Wicks, Johnston, IA; Shane (Sarah) Wicks, Cedar Rapids, IA; and Ryan (Angie) Wicks, Manchester, IA; grandchildren: Sierra Wicks, Jake Wicks, Samuel Wicks, Natalie Wicks, William Wicks, and Brynnlee Wicks; former husband, Wes Wicks; sister-in-law, Alyce Klocke, many beloved nieces and nephews, extended family members, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Reuben and Margaret Klocke; husband, Bob Teff; brother, Merlyn Klocke; sister, Betty Gilbertson and brother-in-law, Curt Gilbertson.

A memorial service will be held at Willowbrook United Methodist Church, Sun City, AZ, on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. A family service and celebration of life will be held in Iowa at a later date.

Memorial donations may be directed to the Stephen Ministry at Willowbrook United Methodist Church in Sun City, AZ, the Nature Conservancy, or Bethlehem Presbyterian Cemetery in Postville, IA