Ruth E. Small
Sunday, September 4, 1927
Date of Death:
Monday, February 18, 2013
Age:
85 years old
Sunday, September 4, 1927
Date of Death:
Monday, February 18, 2013
Age:
85 years old
Sunday, September 4, 1927
Date of Death:
Monday, February 18, 2013
Age:
85 years old
Ruth E. Small
Ruth Small, 85, died the evening of February 18th, 2013 of natural causes after several months of skilled nursing care at Madonna Towers in Rochester, MN.
Ruth Estelle Trubl was born September 4, 1927, to Charles and Stella (Briska) Trubl in Winona, MN. After graduating from Winona Senior High, she attended Winona Secretarial School. She traveled by train to work for Mayo Clinic at the Plummer Building in the pediatrics department. While attending dances at the Winona Armory, Ruth met Cletus. They were united in marriage November 22, 1952, having the first wedding in the newly remodeled Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. Ruth and Cletus began raising a family on the Small family farm near St. Charles, then relocating to Rochester in 1968.
Ruth returned to formal employment as a secretary for the State of MN Department of Civil Defense, which in later years was renamed the Department of Emergency Management. During that time she was active with St. Francis of Assisi Parish, the St. Rafael’s Group, and volunteering for the American Red Cross passing on messages from military service members stationed overseas. She was a professed member 3rd Order Franciscan. Ruth retired from the Department of Emergency Management in 1991.
Ruth enjoyed trips to the Mississippi. As a child, she spent family time at her father’s cabin on the River in West Newton, MN. Now with her own family, many memories were made at her brother’s boathouse near Buffalo, WI, where her children learned to swim, fish and the art of rowing a boat. Ruth also enjoyed flower gardening, growing houseplants, bicycling, swimming, sewing, tracing family genealogy, listening to music, playing the accordion and keyboard, creating photo albums, writing journals, both working at and playing bingo, and visiting with family and friends.
Ruth is preceded in death by her maternal parents, brother Charles Jr., (2) brothers-in law, and (2) sisters-in law. Surviving relatives are her husband Cletus, (1) daughter Mary (Tom) Dawson of Rochester, (2) sons Tom (Teresa) Small of Hayfield, Jim Small, (2) granddaughters Heather (Pat) Walsh, Tiffany Dawson, (1) great grandson Murphy Walsh all of Rochester, (1) sister-in law Ruby Brand of Richfield, MN, and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass will be held at Madonna Towers Chapel, 4001 19th Ave. NW, Rochester at 11:00a.m., Friday, February 22, 2013 officiated by Rev. James Russell. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. The graveside service will be at Calvary Cemetery.
Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
Condolences
The family of Ruth E. Small has received the following condolences.
I offer my most sincere sympthay Ruth's family. Remember the many memories.
I knew Ruth when she was a member of the secretarial organization. I loved to look around and see a twinkle in her eye -- I think we were both wondering what we were doing there. And she amazed me during our study sessions for the CPS; it did not look like she was paying attention, but, by golly, she passed the whole thing in one sitting. Amazing!
Know that I am thinking of you all. Joanne Sandstrom
Tom,
I was sorry to read if your Mom's death. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Helen Gathje
Tom,
So sorry to hear about your mother, Condolences from the Durigans.
Mike Durigan.
Uncle Cletus and family,
We are so sorry for your loss.
Aunt Ruth provided me with so much information for the family tree. At our family reunions it was fun to see the photo albums and clippings that Aunt Ruth shared.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bev, Dan, Stuart and Kimberly Baker
I am very sorry about the loss of your Mother. Our Prayers aree with you. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you. Love Rod
To Uncle Cletus and family,
Linda and I send our sympathies on the passing of Aunt Ruth. When I was about ten years old Aunt Ruth and Uncle Cletus gave me a scarf for Christmas. I still use that scarf; that means I have used it for over 50 years! I always think of Aunt Ruth and Uncle Cletus when I use it.
God's Blessings to you all,
Chris and Linda Brand
Dear Cletus and family,
My deepest sympathy to all.
I am sorry that I cannot be at the funeral, but my thoughts and prayers will be with you at that time and always.
Love, Ruby
Mary and family,
So sorry to here about the death of your mom, you are in my prayers and may god be with you during this time of pain. Rest In Peace Ruth
Linda Loring
Mary & Tom, Heather & Tiffany, I am so sorry to hear of Ruth's passing. My deepest condoleneces to you and your family. Diane Positer
We are saddened to hear of the loss of your wife ,mother,grandmother and great-grandmother Ruth. We offer our sincere sympthay and prayers to all of you at this time. Hold onto the many memories and know others are thinking of you all. May God be with you all and Rest in peace Ruth.
I always enjoyed visits with Ruth. She had a smile that would light up her face. She will be missed. Rest in Peace and God be with the family during this time of loss.
mary i am so surprised and saddened for you and rest of your family over looseing your mom. my prayers go out to all of you. I sure have good memories of us all living in the trailer court and your mom and dad visiting you guys they always accepted me mike and the kids..have had many good talks with your mom :) I sure would be there for all of you but as you know im in the hospital again and looks like im going up to st paul to another hospital....please know saturday im there in thoughts with you all...ruth may you RIP... love from the claire adams family/ mike maley too
We are very saddened to hear of your loss, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Our sympathies to the entire family. Ruth is my Aunt (Cletus's sister, Ethelmaye is my mother). I have many fond memories as a child visiting the family farm in St. Charles and playing with my cousins. Special times were always when Aunt Ruth would load all of us kids up in the car to make the trip to the Rochester Library to get books and share her love for reading. God bless.