Cover photo for Ruth Herness's Obituary
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1950 Ruth 2014

Ruth Herness

November 20, 1950 — June 19, 2014

Ruth Herness, 63 of Fergus Falls died Thursday, June 19, 2014 at the Battle Lake Good Samaritan Center after a brief battle with cancer.

Ruth Anne Herness was born on November 20, 1950 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota the daughter of Russell and Anne (Stock) Moe. She was baptized and confirmed at Federated Church in Fergus Falls, and also attended the Ashby Presbyterian Church and Maine Presbyterian Church. She taught Sunday school and held leadership positions in all three churches. Ruth graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1969. She continued her education at Fergus Falls Community College from 1969 to 1971.

Ruth and Glen Herness were married on December 18, 1971 in the Federated Church. In April of 1972, they purchased the Highway 52 Café in Ashby, which they operated together for four years. The couple was blessed with two sons, Zachary in 1976 and Lucas in 1978, and Glen went into the insurance business at that time while Ruth worked the family vending business and was a stay at home Mom. In 1982, they moved to Buchanan Lake near Ottertail City, where Ruth focused on raising her boys during their elementary school years. The family moved to Fergus Falls in 1986, where they lived in town while their sons were in school. During this time, she was employed for ten years at Lake Region Hospital as a Nursing Coordinator before joining Glen in 1997 in their Inspection business. In 2000, Ruth and Glen moved just outside of Fergus Falls to enjoy peaceful nights in the country and maintain a large garden. Ruth was thrilled with the birth of her two grandsons, Jacob and Carter in this period of her life. In February of 2013, Ruth semi-retired then started part time with Target, where she loved the social contact with employees and guests. In just her third month of work she was honored with being the Great Team Hero of the Month.

Ruth enjoyed gardening, cooking, and food preservation. She loved cooking with her mother, and Thanksgiving wasn't complete without her dressing and homemade gravy. With cucumbers from her garden, she made pickles with Glen that were loved by many friends and family. And when her boys were in high school, the swim team loved her ham & cheese hash browns for breakfast. Ruth loved to design and make things. She made over 500 crocheted baby booties for the birth of friend's or family member's children, and Christmas decorations. She also made afghans which were so warm because they were made with yarn and love. Ruth loved to sew, making dresses for her sisters and herself growing up, every Halloween costume for her sons, and a camouflaged vest that her grandson cherished. She was a baseball fan, and liked to cross country ski and snowshoe. She loved music, playing in multiple high school bands and groups, and listening to all kinds of music throughout her life. Most of all, Ruth enjoyed spending time with her friends and family.

She is survived by her husband, Glen; two sons, Zac (Cari) Herness, Jacob and Carter of Plymouth, MN and Luke (Samantha Sandau) Herness of Bismarck, ND; five siblings, Allen (Sandi) Gundberg, Sharon (Robert) Johnson, Carol (Dick) Bucholz, Dale (JoAnn) Gundberg and Dean (Lori) Gundberg; mother-in-law, Bernice Herness of Fergus Falls; brother-in-law, Roger (Shirley); and by numerous relatives and friends. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Russell Moe and Maynard and Anne Gundberg; and by father-in-law, Gordon Herness.

Memorial Service: 11:00 am Friday, June 27, 2014 at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.

Visitation: Thursday from 4 to 8 pm with a Prayer Service at 7:30 pm and on Friday from 9 am until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Clergy: Rev. Liz Mahan

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson of Fergus Falls

Condolences: GlendeNilson.com


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