Ruth Levang, 91, of Fergus Falls, formerly of Fertile, IA died Thursday, October 31, 2013 at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.
Ruth Edel (Bjornsen) Levang was born on October 22, 1922 to Svend and Marie (Mikkelsen) Bjornsen in Haugesund, NORWAY. She was baptized in Frelsers Church, Haugesund, NORWAY. During the summer of 1923, Ruth, together with her mother Marie and two older sisters, Lillian and Solveig immigrated to the United States. In September of 1923 they arrived at Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Stavangerfjord" and began the journey to Iowa where her father Svend had already begun his farming career.
In 1939 she was confirmed in Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church near Joice, Iowa by Rev. Joseph Aarhus. She was an active participant in the youth program of Bethel as well as a member of the "string band" that ministered during those years. She was educated in the rural school nearby the family home.
On December 31, 1944, she married Arthur L. Levang at Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church. Together they farmed near Fertile, Iowa and began to raise their family. On August 30, 1956, Ruth became a naturalized citizen of the United States.
In the spring of 1956, the transition from the farming life to the city life began as they moved to Fertile. In 1959, they moved to Des Moines. In 1972 Arthur's career with Xerox took them to Rochester, New York. During all of these years, Ruth did considerable in-home work and served as a volunteer for many church related activities. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, needle point, and made numerous quilts for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In 1987, upon Arthur's retirement, they moved back to Des Moines. They remained active in church activities and traveled to Alaska, Norway, and Israel.
After Arthur's death, Ruth lived alone for several years in the home she and Arthur purchased upon their return to Iowa and in the more recent years has been a resident in retirement facilities in Indianola, Iowa and Fergus Falls, Minnesota. She had a life-long testimony of loving the Lord.
She was happiest when surrounded by family and friends and loved to entertain guests. Everyone was always welcome in her home.
Ruth died October 31, 2013 at age 91. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two older and two younger siblings, (Lillian, Solveig, Kjell, Lavonne), as well as her second son, Dennis.
She is survived by her sons Paul (JoAnn) Levang, Fergus Falls, MN. and Dean (Deborah) Levang of Norwalk, Iowa, seven grandchildren—(Carrie, (Henrik Bjorndahl) of Alexandria, MN, Michael (Stacy) of Farmington, MN, Jennifer (Brent Rogness) of Moorhead, MN, Jason (Amy) of Des Moines, IA , Jodi (Matthew Puls) of West Des Moines, IA, Ryan (Nicole) of Runnells, IA, Brett (Tracy) of Urbandale, IA. Twenty-one great grandchildren—(Erik, Noah, Annika, Luke, and Britta Bjorndahl /Titus, Zoe, and Boden Levang/ Sylvia, Evan, and Caroline Rogness/Jacob and Samuel Levang/Dani Lynn and Cooper Puls/ Cooper, Dillon, Collin, and Jaxxon Levang/Peyton and Addison Levang), a sister-in-law Lois Bjornsen and fourteen nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service: 1 PM, Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Joice, Iowa. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service
Visitation: 4-6 PM, Sunday, November 3, 2013 at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls with Prayer Service at 5 PM
Cemetery: Elim Cemetery in rural Fertile, IA
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com