Ruth Borseth, 78, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, at Wellington Place Nursing Home in Decorah, Iowa.

Ruth Carolyn (Jerdee) Borseth was born on Jan. 12, 1933, the daughter of John E. and Elvina (Trae) Jerdee in Albert Lea. Ruth attended Village school, graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1951 and Luther College in 1955. She taught elementary school in Decorah from 1956-59. Ruth married Robert Borseth on June 7, 1959, at the East Freeborn Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Together they farmed in Madison Township, where they raised their family. Ruth was a member of the Madison Lutheran Church and Ladies Circle, the Farm Bureau, and the Farm Bureau Woman’s Chorus.

Ruth is survived by her two daughters: Kristin (Charles) Daws, of Bluffton, Ohio, and Rebecca (Lloyd) Spielbauer, of Volga, Iowa; one son, Mark (Betsy) Borseth, of Harvest, Ala.; and 11 grandchildren: Stephanie (Jake) Kaufman, of Madrid, Iowa, Christina Spielbauer, of Muncie, Ind., Elizabeth, Robert, Cassandra, and William Spielbauer, of Volga, Iowa, Kaitlyn and Mathew Daws, Bluffton, Ohio, and Nathan, Andrew, and Peter Borseth, of Harvest, Ala. She is also survived by one sister, Evadne Schager, Sheffield, Iowa; two brothers: Lowell (Jan) Jerdee, Albert Lea and Steven (Julie) Jerdee, of Hayward.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents: John E. and Elvina (Trae) Jerdee; husband, Robert Borseth, on April 18, 1986; one brother, Carlyle Jerdee in 1998; one brother-in-law, Craig Schager.

A funeral service was held Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Madison Lutheran Church, Ridgeway, Iowa, with the Rev. Michael Massa officiating. Interment was at Madison Lutheran Cemetery. Schluter Balik Funeral Home of Decorah, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.