Ruth N. Skjerseth
September 27, 1931 — January 17, 2016
Ruth N. Skjerseth, age 84, resident of Lakota, ND, died Sunday, January 17, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society in Lakota.
Ruth Naomi Eliason was born September 27, 1931 in McVille, ND, the daughter of Soren and Bella (Frederikson) Eliason. She was raised in Pekin, ND, was baptized & confirmed at Pekin Lutheran Church. She graduated from Pekin High School in 1950. She then attended the Deaconess School of Nursing in Grand Forks and graduated in 1953. Ruth married Reuben Tweed in December of 1953. They farmed near McHenry. From this union two girls were born, Reuchele and Rhona. Rueben and Ruth later divorced. Ruth worked as a registered nurse in the Mayville and McVille hospitals for one year each. Ruth married Melvin Skjerseth on July 1, 1967 in Devils Lake, ND. They lived and farmed in the Brocket area. She worked periodically at the nursing homes in McVille and Lakota. In 1976, Ruth and Melvin moved to Lakota, but continued farming until 1997. Ruth was a member of the Lakota Lutheran Church and WELCA. She loved listening to, and also playing, old time music in her local band. She played the piano and the accordion. Ruth loved being outside, working on the farm and in the yard, and driving tractor. The greatest joys of Ruth’s life were faith, family, and friends.
Ruth will be deeply missed by her husband, Melvin Skjerseth of Lakota; 3 daughters, Reuchele (Mark) Hadrava of Detroit Lakes, MN, Rhona (Timothy) Crone of Gillette, WY, and Carlen (Matthew) Hone of Carrington, ND; 6 grandchildren, Samuel, Sarah & Sonya Crone, and Bella, Emma & Justin Hone; 2 brothers, Kenneth Eliason of Pasco, WA and Stanley (Carole) Eliason of Norman, OK; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter, Tonya; and an infant brother.
A Memorial Service will be held for Ruth at the Lakota Lutheran Church on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be the Reverend Tedd Rieke. The organist will be Karen Fowler with special music by Matt Hodek. Interment will be in the spring at the Hoff Lutheran Cemetery, rural Brocket. Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday, beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Red Willow Bible Camp or a charity of your choice.
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