Ruth E. Smith, 83, Albert Lea, died Wednesday, March 4, 2009, in St. John’s Lutheran Home, Albert Lea.
Born July 11, 1925, in Albert Lea, she was the daughter of Edmund J. and Sylvia M. (Gunderson) Nelson. She attended rural school district 68 and was a 1942 graduate of Albert Lea High School. Ruth and Gerald L. Smith were married on June 17, 1947, in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Ruth lived in Albert Lea until 1969, Clear Lake, Iowa, from 1969 to 1973, and Worthington from 1973 until returning to Albert Lea in 1992. She had been an insurance clerk at the Worthington Regional Hospital for 16 years, retiring in 1990. Ruth was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Albert Lea, the Trinity Lutheran Church Women, and Mission Circle.
Her parents, Edmund J. and Sylvia M. Nelson; a son, Brian G. Smith on Oct. 29, 2004; a grandson, Jason L. Smith on April 15, 1990; a granddaughter, Lisa A. Smith on Dec. 12, 2003; a sister, Marilyn; a brother, Dale; and an infant brother preceded her in death.
Survivors include her husband, Gerald L. Smith; four sons: Durin L. (Paulette) M. Smith of Coleraine, Mark D. (Nancy) Smith of Albert Lea, Paul E. (Sara) Smith of Shakopee, and Scott D. (Suzanne) Smith of Sioux City, Iowa; 19 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a brother, Edmund D. (Angie) Nelson of Albert Lea; three sisters: Rochelle K. (Karl) Heil of Erie, Colo., Bonnie J. (Kenneth) Jensen of Albert Lea, Carole S. (James) Petersen of Springfield, Neb., and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea and will continue from 1:30 p.m. until the 2:30 p.m. funeral service on Saturday in the Trinity Lutheran Church of Albert Lea with the Rev. Curtis Zieske. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Albert Lea.