Obituaries from the week of September 13, 2006

Ruth L. Prouty, 85

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 11, 2006 for Ruth L. Prouty at Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy, MN. Rev. Kurt Kluge officiated the service with Valerie Hayes as organist.

Casket bearers were Doug Rolland, Charlie Knott, Steven Knott, David Knott, Jerome Christensen and Randy Schmidt.

Ruth Lorraine Prouty was born February 2, 1921 to John and Elma (Olson) Johnson on the family farm south of Tracy, MN in Monroe Township, Lyon County. She was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy and attended both Country School District #88 and Tracy Public Schools.

On December 12, 1938 Ruth married John Louis Prouty in Brookings, SD and they made their home on a farm north of Tracy where they farmed for 25 years. They then moved into Amiret, MN where Ruth served as Postmaster for several years. After Louis’ death in 1963, Ruth remained in Amiret until 1969 and then moved into Tracy. There she worked as the hostess at the Mediterranean Club for many years.

Ruth was a life-long member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy and was active in the Ladies Aid as well as many other women’s activities. She also was a member of the Tracy VFW Auxiliary, Currie American Legion Auxiliary, Tracy Hospital Auxiliary and the Currie Town & Country Booster Club. Ruth was an active member of her community and over the years volunteered for numerous church, social and community activities, such as regularly playing piano for the residents of both nursing homes in Tracy. Her love of music brought much joy to everyone she was around. Ruth also enjoyed crossword puzzles, bird watching, flowers, sharing a good joke and loved spending time with her beloved family.

On Friday, September 8, 2006, at the age of 85, Ruth died peacefully surrounded by her family at the Tracy Area Medical Center. She was the last surviving Prouty family member from her generation and her smile and laughter will greatly be missed by all.

Ruth is survived by her two sons, Art (Susan) Prouty of Burnsville, MN and Allen (Tammy Henderson-Prouty) Prouty of Avoca, MN; three daughters, Joanne (Wayne) Carter of Currie, MN, Pat (Chuck) Peltola of Currie, MN and Lezlee Prouty of Tracy, MN; one daughter-in-law, Kay Prouty of Redwood Falls, MN; 17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren;two great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Vivian Rolland of Tracy, MN; Eldora Bucholz of Westbrook, MN and Viola (Robert) Knott of Tracy, MN; one brother, Maurice (Emiko) Johnson of Las Vegas, NV; one brother-in-law, Roy Christensen of Milroy, MN; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding her in death were her husband, John L., one son, Jim, one grandson, Shawn Prouty, one great-grandson, Jeremiah Trei, two brothers, Kenneth and Orvin Johnson and one sister, Myrtle Christensen.

Interment was in Tracy City Cemetery, Tracy, MN with the Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handling the arrangements

Ruth Rongstad, 95

Funeral services for Ruth Rongstad, age 95, of Dovray, MN will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Dovray. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at the Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton and one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday.

Rev. Roy Williams will officiate. Pianist is Marian Johnson.

The pallbearers are Kent Erickson, Kurt Erickson, Todd Hungerford, Paula (Kronback) Johnson, Chad Hungerford, Karin Erickson, Gina (Kronback) Sazama, Eric Kronback, Matthew Hansen, Noelle (Kappes) Ankenman, Amy Hansen, Leah (Kappes) Carlson and Mark Hansen.

Honorary pallbearers are the Dovray American Legion Auxiliary.

Ruth Tina Rongstad was born on September 30, 1910 on the family farm in Des Moines River Township, Murray County, Minnesota to John and Gunda (Amundson) Johnson. She grew up on the family farm and was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. She attended country school and then graduated from Westbrook High School in 1929.

On June 5, 1934 she and Richard Rongstad were married at her parents farm near Dovray, MN. Following their marriage, they lived in Dovray and operated the Rongstad “Old Reliable” Store until 1973. Richard died on July 19, 1981. Ruth moved to Lindenwood Assisted Living Apartments in Slayton in 2002 and then became a resident of the Westbrook Good Samaritan Home in June 2003. She passed away there on September 10, 2006 at the age of 95.

She was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Dovray where she had taught Sunday school, and belonged to circle and WELCA. She was a member of the Dovray American Legion Auxiliary, Verclimers Sewing Club and was the grand marshal in the Dovray Uff-Da Days parade in 1992. Ruth enjoyed making baby quilts, embroidering, writing letters and sending cards to family and friends and baking Norwegian pastries.

Survivors include her five daughters and their husbands, Marilyn and David Erickson of Hayfield, MN, Twyla and Darrell Hungerford of Slayton, MN, Maydelle and Gene Kronback of Westbrook, MN, Clarice and Tom Kappes of Slayton, MN, and Kristin and John Hansen of Currie, MN; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and grandson, Kyle Erickson, three brothers, Harris, Marlowe, Aaron Luverne Johnson and one sister, Roselayn Hanson.

Interment is in Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery, Dovray, MN.