Ruth Twete

Ruth Twete, 94, of Battle Lake died Thursday, March 18, 2010, at the Battle Lake Good Samaritan Center.

Ruth Vivian Twete was born March 19, 1915, in Battle Lake , the daughter of Axel and Mabel (Myhre) Wentzel. She was their only daughter. Ruth was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at First Lutheran Church in Battle Lake and graduated from Battle Lake High School in 1933.

On June 6, 1933, she married Carl Twete at the age of 18. They had one child, a son, Kenneth. They farmed the family farm together, south of Battle Lake their entire married life of 43 years.

Ruth attended normal school where she earned her teacher’s degree. She taught school in three different school districts in the Battle Lake area. Ruth was very involved most of her life in her church where she taught Sunday School, attended Ladies Aid and was the church organist for 11 years. Ruth also gave piano lessons to the neighborhood children in her home. She played for many weddings and funerals accompanying many soloists including her brother, Art.

Ruth was very devoted to her husband and son. She loved to garden, read and bake. Her home was the gathering spot for neighbors at “coffee time”. The coffee and cookies and other “goodies” flowed freely and frequently. The fellowship around the table was long remembered after the cups were empty and the plates had only crumbs. Ruth took care of her mother and father and insured that they had a full and quality life. She never complained about the time or effort it took. Instead, she rejoiced in the fact that she had them with her for as long as she did. She was a kind and patient soul.

Ruth loved learning new things. Her life at the Good Samaritan Center offered her opportunities to take “college courses”. She stated that one was never too old to learn more about the world. She loved to visit and talk on the phone. It made her feel “connected.” Ruth was truly loved by her family. Her sense of humor was a shining light through some very dark times. She loved hearing about the “family” and always wanted to be in the know.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Sharon, who cared for her after she was alone on the farm and living in the nursing home. She is also survived by her nephews, Craig (Barb) Wentzel of Edmore, ND and Paul (Gabby) Wentzel of Fergus Falls; nieces, Cindy (Lee) Fronning of Fergus Falls and Kay Erickson of Comstock, MN; great nieces and nephews, Abby (Joshua) Nimerfroh of Naperville, IL, Faith Wentzel of Edmore, ND, Patti Erickson of Fargo, ND, Scott (Holly) Erickson of West Fargo, ND, Scott (Melissa) Fronning and Robert (Amy) Fronning of Dalton and Bradley (Nadia) Fronning of Barnesville, MN; eight great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Carl in 1976; her son, Kenneth in 2003 and her only brother, Arthur, with whom she shared a tremendous bond, in 2003.

Visitation: Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 2 p.m. Monday at Trefoldighed Lutheran Church , rural Battle Lake

Clergy: Rev. Craig Wentzel

Burial: Church Cemetery

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Battle Lake

Condolences to: www.glendenilson.com