Ruth Marie (Doty) Lovejoy

Ruth Marie (Doty) Lovejoy – Ruth Marie Doty was born on April 19, 1932 in Olmstead County, Minnesota to parents, Wiley Doty and Josephine Schwoch Doty.  Her siblings were Eunice, Josephine, Gus, David, Gordon, Norman, and Earnestine.  She was married to Donald George Lovejoy on April 9, 1951.    Together, Don and Ruth raised six children: Connie, Don, Rick, Randy, Andrew, and Lori.

Don and Ruth Lovejoy were partners in ministry.  She served in the Salvation Army for almost 40 years before serving in the United Methodist Church for nearly 20 years.  Her love for Christ and His people took her from Dover to Michigan, North Dakota, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, and South Georgia.

God blessed Ruth with several gifts and skills which she developed.  She was creative, compassionate, and community minded.  She loved children, was a director of a day care center, and taught many kids to play musical instruments.  Many will remember her running around the church yard during Vacation Bible Schools.  She was also a teacher and real estate agent for some time.  In her later years, she was the elderly lady who stood at the door and watched the children playing in the neighborhood.  She worked diligently to establish and strengthen ministries to and with women.  In 2009, she entered retirement after nearly 60 years of ministry.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, and her husband, Don.  She is survived by her six children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.  Her lasting legacy will be the faith and Christian service of her children and grandchildren.

Services for Ruth Marie (Doty) Lovejoy will be held at the Salvation Army Corp in Rochester, MN on August 4 at 2:00.  The family will receive visitors beginning at 1:00.  Ruth’s daughter, Lori (Lovejoy) Lewis will officiate.  Ruth will be laid to rest in Hillside Cemetery in St. Charles immediately following the Service.