Kehrberg, Ruth E. 1913-1999

KEHRBERG, HILLESTAD, STOKKE

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2011 at 11:14:17

Ruth E. Kehrberg, 85, of Merrill, Iowa, died Friday, January 1, 1999, at the Brentwood Good Samaritan Center in LeMars, Iowa .

Ruth Elizabeth Hillestad was born October 9, 1913, at Havana, North Dakota, to Andrew and Online (Stokke) Hillestad. Ruth was raised at Havana, North Dakota, and graduated from Havana High School. She attended Moorhead State Teachers College, Moorhead, Minnesota, where she received her teachers certificate. Ruth had taught school in Minnesota and later taught at Merrill and Sioux City. Ruth was united in marriage to Lowell Kehrberg on September 15, 1943, at Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ruth and Lowell farmed east of Merrill, Iowa. Lowell passed away in 1956. Ruth went back to college and graduated from Westmar College in LeMars and had done graduate work at the University of Washington and University of California at Berkley, California. Ruth had continued to manage and live on the farm until her death.

Ruth was an active member of the Merrill United Methodist church. She was also known for her advocacy of senior citizens. Ruth was a very accomplished writer and had published several poetry books. She enjoyed singing and her family.

Survivors include two children, Robert Kehrberg of Vero Beach, Florida, and Mary Beth Kehrberg, of Merrill, Iowa; 2 grandchildren, Frank Lowell Kehrberg of Merrill and Brianna Elizabeth Kehrberg of Merrill; a sister, Eda Helstedt of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a brother Oliver Hillestad and sister, Lillie Quinn.

~Obituary submitted by family member, G. L. West