Ruth S. Hedman

Ruth Hedman was born to Jensine and Paul Mork on November 27, 1923, in Winger, Minnesota. She grew up in a three-generation family, attended a one-room country school, and graduated from McIntosh High School. After business school she worked in Minneapolis and Kennewick, Washington. In 1946 she married Jaynes Hedman, and they lived in McIntosh, Baudette, and Climax, Minnesota.

Following Jay's retirement they moved to their beloved home on Turtle Lake, the site of many family adventures, including yearly Hedman family reunions. The lake was heaven on earth for them in the summer, and their home in Yuma, Arizona, was their winter paradise. Wherever they lived, they made lifelong friends, a practice Ruth continued after Jay's death in 1999. She was a good cook and an amazing baker; we all remember her bread, cinnamon rolls, and buns, along with Christmas fudge and all the Norwegian delicacies. Gathering people around the table and giving thanks were central to her homemaking creed. She was also a skilled seamstress and crocheted beautiful gifts. She loved playing cards with family and friends and taught many games to her grandchildren. Ruth died in her own bed at Riverview on September 8, surrounded by her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jay; an infant grandson, Benjamin; and her brother, Philip Mork. She is survived and celebrated by her children, Susan (Doug) Gronberg of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Steven (Kate) Hedman of Detroit Lakes; Paul Hedman of Moorhead; and David (Terri) Hedman of Fargo; grandchildren, Erik (Matt Rydeen) and Kirsten Gronberg; Peter and Chad (Alison) Hedman; Lauren (Ryan) Hoffman and Kelsey (Cody Smiglewski) Hedman; five great-grandchildren; her sister, Marion (Dick) Leman and brother, Mel (Norma) Mork; sisters-in-law, Ellen Burslie and Shirley Mork; brother-in-law, Don Hedman; and a large extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of the Red River Valley or Olivet Lutheran Church Radio Fund.