Ruth Eileen Christiansen Hatch died peacefully on Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at Sholom Home West in St. Louis Park. She was 87 years old. Ruth was born on Aug. 15, 1920, in Curlew, Iowa, the youngest of seven children of Nels Christiansen and Elsa Caroline Hansen, both born in Denmark. Ruth was the granddaughter of Christian and Frederikki Nielsen Jeppeson, and Søren Christian and Eline Marie Hansen, of Hjorring, Denmark.
After graduating from Curlew High School, Ruth married Clyde Francis Hatch on Oct. 29, 1938. The following year they moved to Humboldt as proprietors of the Avalon Cafe, and two years later to Algona. In 1942, the family moved to Albert Lea, where they lived for over 60 years. During this time Ruth and Clyde spent summers at their cabin on Beaver Lake, and after retirement, they wintered in Florida, Texas and Arizona. Ruth and Clyde moved to The Rivers in Burnsville in May 2006.
Ruth was active in a number of organizations and served as Worthy Matron of Eastern Star 1966. For those who knew Ruth, she enjoyed conversation, reading, bird watching and house plants. An excellent cook, her home-baked pies were the stuff of legend. But Ruth was never happier than when she was playing the piano or playing cards. A master at bridge and formidable in cribbage, she was a founding member of her neighborhood bridge club, a group that evolved over a period of 60 years. The club included her oldest friends, Jimmie Kenis, Art Rhiger, Elsie Kane, Norma Goodmanson, Jeanne Hangge, and as decades and members passed on, new neighbors joined old friends in groups that included Bev and Leo Meyers and Shirley and Wayne Wright. With family members, Ruth relished late-night chats with Irish whiskey, and although she quit smoking at the age of 72, she sometimes enjoyed sneaking a puff from a good cigar. Above all, Ruth was a devoted mother. Throughout her life she gave generously of herself to family, friends and anyone in need. Raised by Danish immigrants, Ruth taught her children from an early age that “there’s always room for one more at the table.”
Ruth was preceded in death by her son, Larry Lee Hatch of Curlew, Iowa; her parents, Caroline and Nels Christiansen; and three brothers and three sisters, Roy Arthur Christiansen, Frederik Richard Christensen, Pearl Cora Atwood, Ellen Edith Domek, Leslie Christiansen, and Opal Elizabeth Dixon. Ruth is survived by her husband, Clyde; three sons and their families, Jerry and Linda Hatch, Great Falls, Mont., Ken and LaVonne Hatch, Lakeville, and Bob Hatch and Sue Woolsey, Gainesville, Fla.; two grandsons, Mark Hatch, Washington D.C., and David Hatch, Billings, Mont.; three granddaughters, Kellie and Ken Lewis, Lakeville, Michelle Hatch and Ryan Martin, Eagan, and Tracy and Jeff Davis, Apple Valley. There are 13 great-grandchildren, nine nieces and two nephews.
Final arrangements have been made by the Minnesota Cremation Society, and the scattering of ashes will take place at Beaver Lake and at Rush Lake Cemetery, Curlew. Family and friends may wish to make memorial contributions to Hospice of the Twin Cities.