The celebration of life for Ruth Van Riper of Albert Lea, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2009, at the First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Holt will officiate. Interment will be in Hilllcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Bonnerup Funeral Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ruth died on Saturday, March 21, 2009, at the Albert Lea Medical Center, with her family at her side. She was 97 years of age.
She was born on Nov. 27, 1911, in Hartland, the daughter of Severt and Lizzie Gudvangen. She attended school in Albert Lea and was a member of First Lutheran Church.
On June 26, 1937, she married Pud (Pearl) Van Riper in Northwood, Iowa. Ruth worked for Johnson Laundry for a few years and in 1941, they moved to Chicago and both Pud and Ruth worked for Wheelco Precision Instruments. In 1952, they returned to the Albert Lea area and purchased and operated a grocery/gas station in Hartland, Minnesota. They sold the business and retired in 1973. Ruth enjoyed cooking and sewing, but especially loved the outdoors, her garden, flowers and fishing. She enjoyed time spent at their cabin on Ash Lake near International Falls. Family joined them many summers to catch and eat fish!
Ruth never had children of her own, but she loved and was loved by her niece and caregiver Karen (Rodger) Christenson.
She is survived by her sister, Stella (Thomas) Davis of California; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Kenny Van Riper, Beverly Carr, Reedie (Casper) Jacobs, Pat (Bob) Fjelbroten all of Albert Lea, Warren (Elgene) Van Riper of Owatonna, John (Irene) Van Riper of Glenville, Joan (Tenny) Loverink of Remer, and extended family Clair and Marian Dahl of Ellendale, niece Karen and Rodger Christenson and family and many other nieces and nephews.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband on Jan. 27, 1995; her parents; brothers: Johnny, Jerome, Selmer and Palmer; sister, Mabel Hunkler; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Jim and Dee Van Riper, Joe Van Riper, Richard Van Riper, Helen and Joe Wellens, Gladys “Sis” and Russ Stauch, Leo Carr and Wilda Van Riper.
Ruth’s family would like to thank the staff (her family) at Oak Park Place for their excellent care and loving friendship she received during the seven years she lived there. Ruth always would say “We sure eat good here!”
We would also like to give special thanks to Dr. Ott, the nurses, aids and staff at the Albert Lea Medical Center for their love and care of Ruth, making her last days as comfortable as possible.
Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers. Aunt Ruth you will be missed dearly, but you will live in our hearts always and forever.