Ruth Van Deusen, 84
Ruth LaVay Van Deusen, 84, of Red Wing, died Tuesday, June 26, at her home.
- Ruth Van Deusen, 84
Ruth LaVay Van Deusen, 84, of Red Wing, died Tuesday, June 26, at her home.
She was born March 12, 1928, in Red Wing, to Robert and Florence (Severson) Arnold, and graduated from Red Wing Central High School. She married Wilbur Van Deusen and, in 1974, they moved St. Louis Park. Wilbur died in 1991, and Ruth moved back to Red Wing in 1995. She had worked for many years as a medical transcriptionist for Park Nicollet and also at Fairview Red Wing, reluctantly retiring at the age of 82. Ruth loved all the girls in her life-her daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters, and was extremely proud of all the men in their lives. She was lucky to be blessed with one special grandson, Frankie.
We will miss her Christmas cookies (pink camels), her hotdishes, her many magazines, her beautiful handwriting, her endless emails, and her puffy hair. Throughout her life, she had many dear friends and enjoyed her coffee clutches. She taught us to love our pets. She gave us her work ethic, her gentleness, and always encouraged us to keep trying no matter what. We will fondly remember the endless hours she spent holding the newborn babies, which Ruth said was her “little piece of heaven.” Ruth was a courageous widow for many years, and we are glad she is now with Wilbur.
She is survived by her two daughters, Barb (Dave) Watters of Lakeville and Jane (Tom) Drazkowski of Red Wing; grandchildren, Jenny (Luke) Erickson of Alexandria, Kelly (Tim Kivi) Watters of Chaska, Brit (Joe) Bloemke of Savage, and Frankie and Emma Drazkowski of Red Wing; great-granddaughters, Addy, Emmy, and Khloe; a brother, Rolland (Mardella) Arnold of Red Wing; cousin John Jensen of Minneapolis, three Van Deusen sisters-in law, Irene, Bonnie, and Jean; many nieces and nephews and her three best friends of 70 years, Mina Kull, Jean Davis, and Joan Loer.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 30, at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel, with Reverend Lynne Rigg officiating. Visitation will be for 1 hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to the Animal Ark of Hastings, 2600 Industrial Ct., Hastings, MN 55033, or the Goodhue County Humane Society Brick Avenue of Red Wing.
To send online condolences, visit www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.
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Stephanie R.
Hendersonville, NC 06/29/2012 5:46 AM
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Willie W.
06/28/2012 1:08 PM
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Tomi L.
Barb and family....I am so very sorry to read of the loss of your mom. What GREAT memories I have of our childhood fun on Cedar St. I always got so excited when my mom would say "you are going to be staying at your Grandmas tonite". How lucky I felt to have my Grandma live right next door to your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Love Tomi Lifto WilsonSt. Paul/Woodbury, MN 06/30/2012 9:52 PM
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