Ruth E. Fenner

Ruth Elizabeth Fenner Ruth was born to John and Augusta Fenner on Dec 19, 1914 in Milbank, South Dakota. She was baptized Dec 25, 1914 into the Lutheran faith. She died June 23, 2012 at Charter House Assisted Living Center in Rochester, MN. Memorial services will be at the Charter House Chapel on Wednesday, June 27 at 11:00. The burial of the cremated remains will be at the Milbank Cemetery in SD at a later date. Ruth attended rural elementary school and graduated from Milbank High School in 1933. She went on to further education and graduated in 1937 with a two year certification in upper elementary education from Northern Normal and Industrial School in Aberdeen, SD. Then from 1935-38, she taught in rural South Dakota elementary schools. Ruth returned to college for a year and graduated in 1940 from Northern State Teacher's College in Aberdeen, SD, earning a Bachelor of Science in High School Education with a major in social science and minors in English, biology, and physical education. She student taught at Roosevelt Junior High School in Aberdeen. This lead to her teaching high school in Florance, SD 1941-43 (Eng, PE, general science), in Beresford, SD 1943-44and Pierre, SD 1944-51. Ruth continued her education by attending the University of Denver graduating in 1952 with a Master of Arts degree in Librarianship. She took additional classes from the University of Denver and the University of Minnesota throughout her educational career. From 1952 to 1966 Ruth was an elementary school librarian for the Rochester, MN Public Schools. In 1967 she became the Director/Coordinator of Libraries for the Rochester school system and held that position until she retired in 1981. The professional organizations she belonged to and was active in included the American Library Association, the Minnesota Educational Association and the National Education Association. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, an educational sorority. Ruth was a long time member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rochester. Travelling and reading were two of her favorite things. She took numerous bus tours with friends or her sisters after she retired. She did needlework and calligraphy and for many years combined these two hobbies when making her own greeting and holiday cards. For several years after her mother passed away, Ruth continued a family tradition of making novel Christmas cookies in the various shapes and highly decorated with colored sprinkles and red hot candies. The cookies were enjoyed by her niece and nephew and their families. She is proceeded in death by her brother, Victor Fenner, and her sister, Dorothy deBot. She is survived by her sister, Irene Jorgensen of Rochester, MN, her nephew and his wife, John and Audrey Fenner of Washington, DC, her niece and husband, Ellen and Eric Stahlecker of Casper, WY, and two great nephews and a great niece. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901 507-289-3600 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com