Ruth Gjermundson

A memorial service for Ruth Gjermundson will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023 beginning at 2:00p.m. at Rock Valle Lutheran Church in Echo, MN. A public visitation will be held at church beginning at 1:00p.m. on Thursday April 27th. Burial will take place at Rock Valle cemetery at a later date. 

Ruth Orda Gjermundson was born May 21, 1935 on her grandmother’s farm in Normania Township – Yellow Medicine County to Henry and Olivia (Roalkvam) Halverson. Ruth was baptized by her great-uncle Reverend J.B. Reinterson and Reverend H.J. Madlund at St. Lucas Lutheran Church. Ruth moved a lot as a child since her parents owned several country stores – Tyler; Rock Valle (Echo); Marietta; Clarkfield; Hazel Run. Ruth was confirmed at the Hazel Run Lutheran Church. She graduated from Clarkfield High School in 1953. Ruth attended Gustavus Adolphus College and graduated from Bethesda School of Nursing in Saint Paul, MN. 

Ruth worked as a nurse/stewardess for the Northern Pacific Railroad between Chicago and Seattle. She also worked at the University of Minnesota Fairview and St. Barnabas Hospitals in Minneapolis, MN. 

She was united in Marriage to Robert Gjermundson on June 23, 1963 at the Hazel Run Lutheran Church. They made their home in Echo, MN. 

Ruth worked at the Redwood Falls Hospital and then at Parkview Home for over forty years rising to the role of Director of Nursing. Ruth was a member of Rock Valle Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school, and was active in the WELCA serving as a past president. She loved quilting and embroidered many dishtowels and pillowcases. Ruth was a member of Echo Homemakers club, Echo American Legion Auxiliary, Parkview Auxiliary, Echo Birthday Club, Echo Sewing Club, and Sons of Norway. 

Ruth died on Monday March 27, 2023 at RenVilla nursing home. 

She is survived by her children Beth Gjermundson of Minneapolis, MN, John (Dorie) Gjermundson of Belview, MN, David Gjermundson of Echo, MN, grandchildren William Bates, Timothy (Lauren) Gjermundson, Peter (Brittney) Hodge, Elisa (Jesse) Pingel, Jason Bates, Laura Bates, great-grandchildren Rya, Grace, and Philip Hodge, Luella Pingel, Emilia Gjermundson, brother-in-law Elwood Isaacs, nephew Rev. Mark (Linda) Isaacs, and niece Mary (Russell) Rhea.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband Robert Gjermundson, parents Henry and Olivia Halverson, daughter Ellen son-in-law Kelly Hodge, sister Linda Isaacs, and niece Margaret Isaacs.