Ruth L. Carlson

Ruth Carlson's memorial service will be 11:00 AM Saturday November 2, 2013 at Autumn Ridge Church Timothy Chapel, Rochester, MN with the Reverend C. John Steer officiating. A private internment will precede the service. Mrs. Carlson, age 91 resided in Rochester since 1953. She was a stay-at-home mom, a child caregiver, and longtime church organist. She died Saturday morning October 26 at Cottagewood Care Center in Rochester after a brief time in hospice care. She was born June 18, 1922 in Sioux Falls, SD where she graduated from Washington High School.She attended one year at then Bethel Junior College in St. Paul and next completed secretarial training at Nettleton Business College in Sioux Falls before embarking on a secretarial career which ended when she had children. On September 14, 1946 she married Kenneth Carlson in Sioux Falls and in 1953 the family moved to Rochester where Mr. Carlson joined O.A. Stocke construction. Mr. Carlson died in 2006. Once Mrs. Carlson's son and daughter completed high school she then joined the workforce in a variety of part-time jobs while she helped her blind husband and later her aging mother. During most of her Rochester years she was a church organist at First Baptist (now Autumn Ridge) in Rochester and Rochester Methodist Hospital Chapel. Her final job was with pre-schoolers at Children's Place in Rochester. Even at Cottagewood she played hymns and favorites for residents, staff and guests. Mrs. Carlson was active lifelong in many Church outreaches. She particularly helped the sick, lonely, and needy in addition to sharing her musical skills. She also played piano for Rochester Christian Women's Club. She had a lifelong interest in antiques and for a time enjoyed braiding rugs, restoring old furniture and finding collectibles. Survivors include her daughter Patty (Max) of Eyota; son, Dan (Hope) of Rochester, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother. The family also offers special thanks to the devoted lifelong friendship of Marion Peterson of Rochester. Visitation will be at Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Homes in Rochester on Friday 5:30 to 8:00 PM. There will be no reviewal at Autumn Ridge Church. Memorials are suggested to Autumn Ridge Church, Rochester, MN.