Ruth Olson

Ruth A. Olson, 83, of Fargo, ND, died Friday, June 5, 2009, at Bethany Homes in Fargo, ND. A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held on Tuesday, June 9, at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 906 First Avenue South, Fargo. Ruth Aldora Skoog was born April 13, 1927, on a farm near Walcott, ND, to Carl and Katie Emma Lydia (Blumer) Skoog. Her stepmother is Esther Skoog of Fargo, ND. Ruth was baptized and confirmed at Zion Evangelical Church of Walcott. Ruth had a strong faith in Jesus, which showed in her loving service to others. Last Friday evening she slipped peacefully from the loving arms of her husband and daughters to the loving arms of her Savior. Ruth attended school in Colfax, ND, graduating in 1943 as valedictorian. She moved to Fargo, attended business college, and began her career in accounting at Merchants National Bank. Ruth later worked at Tureck & Kessler, and then Foss, Englestad & Foss Architects. Ruth met her husband, Norris Olson, at a Fargo dance. They were married on April 11, 1947, at the Skoog family farm near Walcott, ND. Ruth and Norrie loved to dance, and they made a great pair on the dance floor as members of several dance clubs and the Fargo Elks Club. Ruth and Norrie adopted their twin daughters, Jane and Lori, as infants in 1956. Together with family and friends, Ruth enjoyed many sports, especially bowling, golfing, skiing, and boating at the family cabin on Pelican Lake, MN. Ruth also enjoyed watching her grandsons’ ball games. She was an excellent pianist. Ruth loved cooking for family and friends. She was active in several bridge clubs. Ruth is survived by her husband, Norris Olson of Bethany Towers in Fargo; her twin daughters, Jane (Peter) Dreis of Hudson, WI, and Lori (Donald) Beck of Dent, MN; and her two grandsons, Daniel and David Beck. Ruth is survived by all of her siblings: Elaine Wittman, Moorhead, MN, Kenneth Skoog, Wahpeton, ND, Elsie Edenstrom, Newport News, Virginia, Elvina Edenstrom, Fargo, Kathryn Kielb, Fargo, Robert Skoog, Walcott, Wayne Skoog, Austin, Texas, and Sandra Briener, Bismarck, ND; and her stepmother, Esther Skoog of Fargo.