Ruth was born January 7, 1930 in Elgin, Iowa to Lloyd and Clara (Gander) Ruroden. She attended Pleasant Township School through 8th grade when she was needed for help on the farm and with her siblings. On May 5, 1948 she married Kenneth Westby at the Glenwood Lutheran Parsonage. They lived and farmed near the Glenwood Lutheran Church and then south of Spring Grove near the Waterloo Ridge Church. In 1966 they moved to Mabel. Kenneth later died on October 21, 1968. Ruth was a cook for several area restaurants and supper clubs. She was a member of the Mabel First Lutheran Church, WELCA, and Rachel Circle, and the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries. She enjoyed spending time with her family, dancing, old-time music, baking and cooking. Ruth was known for her homemade vegetable beef soup with dumplings and her donuts.
Ruth passed away Tuesday, November 25 at the Green Lea Senior Living in Mabel of Mabel, Minnesota at the age of 84.
Ruth is survived by six children James (Brenda) of Mabel, Judy (Ronald) Vickerman of Mabel, John of Mabel, Janet (Danny) Sanden of Mabel, Jean of Decorah, Iowa, and Joyce (Joel) Graves of Mabel; eleven grandchildren Shannon, Clare, Carl, Dawn, Jason, Dacia, Cole, Amber, Aaron, Danielle, and Courtney; nineteen great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; two sisters Shirley (Warren) Wise of Hiawatha, Iowa, and Betty (Joe) Angelone of Pahrump, Nevada; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Kenneth; two grandchildren Kari Ann Vickerman and Lucas John Westby; and two sisters Lorene Solem and Doris Munson.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, November 29, 2014 at the Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel with the Rev. Elliott Malm officiating. Burial will be at the Mabel Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 - 7 p.m. on Friday, November 28 at the Mabel First Lutheran Church and one hour prior to services at the church.
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