Funeral services for 94-year-old Ruth Beck will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday morning, November 23, 2015, at East Sveadahl Lutheran Church in rural St. James. The church is located at 30247 710th Avenue.
Interment will be in the church cemetery, located at 30187 710th Avenue in rural St. James.
Visitation will be at Sturm Funeral Home-St. James Chapel from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 22, 2015. The funeral home is located at 906 10th Avenue South in St. James. A second visitation will be at the church the day of the funeral service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Ruth Elaine Oredson was born December 23, 1920 to Alma (Leaf ) and Nels Anton Oredson. Ruth is a descendent of the Swedish pioneer settlers of Section 6, Riverdale Township, Watonwan County. Along with her brother, John Marlowe, she attended country school at District #36. Ruth graduated from St. James High School with the Class of 1939. She then attended the Bethesda School of Nursing in St. Paul, Minnesota. As a part of the Greatest Generation, Ruth proudly served her country as an registered nurse during World War II caring for returning soldiers while stationed in Texas. Ruth returned to Minnesota where she worked as a nurse at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota.
She married Russell Nathaniel Beck on Palm Sunday in 1949. Their life together focused on family, faith and their farm north of St. James. The century farm, known as Oredson and Beck, included a registered Holstein dairy herd, hogs and crops.
Ruth was baptized, confirmed and married at East Sveadahl Lutheran Church. Ruth had the gift of unwavering faith. Always charitable, she lived out her Christian faith by leading Bible Study at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Nursing Home in St. James for many years, working in her church and caring for hospice patients.
She was industrious and active in her community. She worked as a registered nurse at the Watonwan Memorial Hospitals in St. James and volunteered with 4-H. Accomplished and kind, Ruth enjoyed sharing her rye bread, sweet rolls, quilts and garden favorites. Everywhere she lived, Ruth enjoyed her daily walk in God’s creation.
Upon retirement, Ruth and Russell moved from the farm to Swanson Avenue in St. James. She was fortunate to travel to two of the places she cherished: the Holy Land and her family’s homeland of Sweden. She enjoyed her years with her Homestead, Brandt Ridge and Pleasant View families. She was blessed with lifelong friends and appreciated the caring services she received.
Ruth is survived by her daughter Judith, and son Wesley (Karla) Beck and by her cherished grandchildren, Andrew, David (Allison) and Simon.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother and her husband.
