Ruth Marie Hernes

Published 12:16 pm Thursday, July 3, 2025

Ruth Marie Hernes, age 57, died peacefully at her home in Albert Lea, MN on July 1, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Ruth was born on September 26, 1967 in Brookings, South Dakota. She attended Glenville Elementary School and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1989. She enjoyed many years of working at Cedar Valley Services.

Ruth made friends everywhere she went. She loved horses, country music, and the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, and Timberwolves. She is the most decorated athlete of the family, having participated in over 50 years of Special Olympics sports including track and field, bowling, softball, and swimming. Ruth loved celebrations of all kinds, and was always planning for the next family gathering.

Joyfully welcoming Ruth to her heavenly home with Jesus are her parents, Dave and Arla Mae, and numerous family members and friends. There’s no doubt it’s a huge party!

Ruth/Barney/Rufus/Ruthie is survived by her siblings: Gina (Don), Mark/Duckfeet (Michelle/Purchelle), Naomi/Norma/Bill (Tony/Tony the Tiger), Sara/Sada/Ted (Jeff), and honorary sister Janean/Veg (Joe) Mestnik; her loving nieces and nephews; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; best friend forever: Donna; her ELM home 44 family: Rosa, Pauline, Lori, and their current and former staff; countless friends. Literally countless friends.

Memorials in honor of Ruth can go to any good cause. There are so many good ones! Here are some of our favorites: Special Olympics MN, AguaViva (for clean water in Honduras), The Negative Space (resource that focuses on caregivers), and Camp Omega (where Ruth attended Bible camp as an adult).

You can also honor Ruth by going out to eat, enjoying a DQ blizzard, jamming to some Luke Bryan tunes, playing games like Farkle and Yahtzee and Uno, taking pictures of new friends you meet or even interesting people/things you see on TV, and giving lots and lots of hugs. Consider giving someone a gigantic eye roll when the situation warrants it. And like Ruth, always remember to see the beauty wherever you are–especially in the flowers and butterflies.

Visitation will be held at Bayview Funeral Home in Albert Lea, MN on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 4-7pm. The funeral will be held at First Lutheran Church, Glenville, MN on Thursday, July 10, 2025, 10am, with a visitation at the church beginning at 9am. Pastor Janet (Hernes) Mathistad, Ruth’s cousin, will be presiding. Burial will be at Our Savior’s Kvindherred Cemetery in Calamus, IA on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 11am. Suggested dress code for all gatherings: bright, happy colors and/or sports t-shirts/jerseys.