Edblad, Ruth (Opsand) 1921-2001

WETTLESON, OPSAND, EDBLAD, HOLDEN, WRIGHT, AMUNDSON, HANSON, BURSTROM, BIDNE

Posted By: IA Gen Web Volunteer
Date: 7/12/2010 at 18:43:58

Funeral services for Ruth Opsand Edblad were held Thursday, June 14, 2001, at 2 p.m. in the Marion Lutheran Church at Gunder. The Reverend Marshall E. Hahn officiated. The Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service of Clermont and Postville was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Ruth Marie Opsand Edblad, the daughter of Harold and Gunille (Wettleson) Opsand, was born March 1, 1921 at Gunder, near Elgin, Iowa. She died of cancer on Friday, June 8, 2001 in the St. Joseph's Nursing Home at Hillsboro, Wisconsin.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Edward Edblad, daughters, Susan Holden of Phoenix, AZ, Rita Wright of Wonewoc, WI, and Lois Edblad of Sausalito, CA, son-in-law, Terry Wright; grandchildren, Kevin, Staci, Ashlie and Kelli Wright and Amara Edblad; a sister, Norma (Art) Amundson of Clermont, IA, brothers-in-law Morris Amundson of Postville, Iowa, Warren (Dee) Burstrom of Freeport, IL, and a special friend from Luther College, Marion Olson of Chicago, Illinois.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Gunille Opsand, her stepmother, Olga Bidne Opsand, four sisters, Alma Hanson, Roselia Burstrom, Hildur Amundson, and Lena Opsand who died as an infant.

Ruth was born and raised on Spring Dale Farm near Gunder. She was graduated from Postville High School in 1938 with a Normal Training degree, enabling her to teach. For three years, Ruth taught eight grades in a one room rural school in Fayette and Clayton Counties. When the WW II effort began, she joined the US Navy as a Wave and held the title of Pharmacists' Mate from 1944-1946. Ruth was stationed in New York City for boot camp, Bethesda, Maryland for active duty and then San Diego, California for the majority of her service, which was an area she truly enjoyed. While in the service, Ruth participated on the bowling and softball teams.

Ruth attended Luther College in Iowa from 1946 to 1948 and Michael Reese Graduate School in Chicago, Illinois from 1948 to 1950. She worked as a Radiation Technician initially at Bethesda Methodist Hospital in Chicago, then worked for Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, where she later became the Head of Radiation Therapy. Her sporting activities during this time were tennis and golf.

In 1955, through mutual friends, Ruth met and later married Edward Edblad on October 29,1955, in the Marion Lutheran Church at Gunder, Iowa. Ruth retired from her career for eleven years to raise her family and earnestly pursue her volunteer efforts with Messiah Lutheran Church where she held numerous officer positions throughout the years. She taught Sunday School and Bible School, was involved in Women's Circle, the church bowling team, the PTA, was an active member of the Radiation Technician's Mentorship Program, and the March of Dimes.

Ruth returned to Swedish Covenant Hospital in 1970. In 1975 she and her family moved to Wonewoc, Wisconsin where she remained for the rest of her years. Ruth pursued her love of gardening, held more volunteer posts, was very involved with St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wonewoc, the community and family. For numerous years, Ruth delivered the sermon tapes to shut-ins, was in Ladies Aid, Prayer Circle, and she and her husband were the Lutheran Brotherhood Communicators for Iowa. She also enjoyed playing cards with friends.

To Ruth's family she leaves many legacies. Perhaps the most prominent of her joys beyond family, friends, and the Lord, was her enthusiasm for each day and what it might bring. The positive spin she put on things, especially her health and outlook on life, her love of nature, all plants and animals, true respect for Mother Earth, and appreciation for culture and the arts. In her early Chicago days, she volunteered as an usher in order to see musicals and plays. Ruth was a diehard Cubs fan, taught her daughters how to play softball and was truly enthusiastic and knowledgeable about almost every main athletic sport.

Her energy was endless, her passion for people and life relentless, and her greatest fulfillment was to help and please others. Ruth cherished time spent with family and friends; each person and the ensuing memory meant the world to her.

Casket bearers were Frank Burstrom, Albert Hanson, Enoch Hanson, Harold Hanson, David Amundson, Marcus Wettleson, Jeffery Wettleson, and Gregory Wettleson. Honorary casket bearers were Bruce Amundson and Paul Hanson.

Interment was at Marion Lutheran Cemetery, Gunder, Iowa.

Postville, Iowa newspaper of the time clipping, from my mother's obituary collection. Posted for genealogical purposes, contributor is not related.