Edwards, Ruth Elaine (1923-2019)

EDWARDS, TEIG, BERGE, SPENCE, COOPER, KAPSNER

Posted By: Paul Nagy
Date: 11/21/2019 at 15:36:56

Ruth Edwards
December 26, 1925 - October 14, 2019

Ruth Elaine (Teig) Edwards, 93, died on October 14, 2019, surrounded by family.

A daughter of Ole and Martha (Berge) Teig and the youngest of eight children, Ruth was born, on December 26, 1925, on the family farm east of Blue Earth, Minnesota. Confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, she graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1943. Active in high school, she participated in the girls mixed chorus and glee club. Her classmates saw her as the "girl with the biggest smile who, forever, had a twinkle in her eye." In addition, she, always, had a fond affinity for Blue Earth. According to family legend, Ruth's brother-in-law, Maynard Hauskins, was one of five designers of the Jolly Green Giant logo in the late 1930s, for which he received $25. Because of this connection, Ruth loved participating in any event involving the giant in Blue Earth.

After graduating from high school, Ruth studied bookkeeping, stenography, and accounting at the Albert Lea business school. After graduating, she remained in Albert Lea for a brief period, working as a bookkeeper. Before the end of World War II, however, she moved to Buffalo Center, Iowa, nearer her family, who had relocated there during the war. Taking a job at the Jensvold implement store, she continued working as a bookkeeper. During those war years and for some time thereafter, Ruth lived at the Buffalo Center Hotel in town while her parents were on a farm just two miles north of Buffalo Center. During this time, Robert Edwards, a handsome, young, returning army veteran and farmer, visited the store frequently, claiming to have continual parts-problems with his tractor. As it turns out, his visits had more to do with his desire to see Ruth. Eventually, he wrote her a beautiful letter asking her out on a date. She accepted, and the rest is history.

Robert and Ruth married in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Buffalo Center on September 11, 1947. Subsequently, their marriage was blessed with four children. Ruth was very engaged in her children's lives. Ruth, also, went back to work at the local grain elevator as the bookkeeper. She enjoyed her job very much, and she delighted in visiting and joking with area farmers, and especially being kind and generous to all the customers' children.

A devout Christian, Ruth loved participating at her church, Bethlehem Lutheran. She, especially, adored her Circle group. She relished teaching Sunday School and participating in the Bethel Bible series as well as in community Bible studies outside her church. In addition, she reveled in the days when her church friends came together for quilting! An excellent quilter and a marvelous cook. and baker, she, always, had Norwegian treats and coffee at her house, reflecting her 100% Norwegian heritage.

Very active in the Buffalo Center community, she served on the 1992 Buffalo Center centennial committee. She cherished this group of friends and enjoyed learning about the history of Buffalo Center and its residents. Moreover, she wrote many of the family histories for the Buffalo Center Centennial book. Very proud of the work of the Buffalo Center Historical Society, which she felt honored the efforts of the centennial committee. Not an official member, she, nonetheless, loved participating in their events. Delighted when the centennial committee selected George Bassett to put up the "Farmer and His Plow" wall statue at the Buffalo Center Lion's park, she felt immensely proud knowing that he and she were high school classmates from Blue Earth, Minnesota.

Ruth made several trips to Virginia, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, to visit family. Once, Ruth and Robert visited Florida for an elevator meeting. She became a loyal Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, and Iowa Hawkeye fan because of her children.

Ruth had a true love and passion for watching her children and grandchildren flourish. Those grateful for having shared in her life include her four children and their spouses: Mark Edwards, and his wife, Cheryl, of Blaine, Minnesota, Bruce Edwards, and his wife, Dr. Verlane, of West Des Moines, Iowa; Paul Edwards, and his wife, Pam, of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Mary Edwards, of Shorewood, Minnesota; her seven grandchildren: Cori (Rusty) Spence, of Martinsville, Virginia, Beth (Brian) Kapsner of Cortlandt Manor, New York, Lisa (Jason) Smith, of Richmond, Virginia, Matthew (Lindsay) Edwards. of West Des Moines, Iowa, Joshua Edwards, Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Elijah Edwards (Dr. Jennifer Cooper), of Denver, Colorado; and Andrew (Erin) Edwards, of Chicago, Illinois; and five great grandchildren: Skyler Spence, Jonah, and Emily Smith, and Sylvie and Johanna Edwards.

Ruth moved from the family farm in 2010 to Forest City assisted living and, in 2011, relocated to the Titonka Care Center. In August 2019, Ruth was transferred to the Twin Cities to have back surgery at M Health Fairview, receiving outstanding medical care during her stay. Her last stop on her Minnesota journey was N.C. Little Hospice in Edina, Minnesota, where she, also, received superb care. Surrounded by her family, she died there peacefully on October 14, 2019.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Robert (1999), her parents, four brothers, three sisters, two nephews, and one niece, as well as by seven sisters-in-law and six brothers-in-law. She is survived by one sister-in-law, Carol Edwards.

On Monday, heaven witnessed a tremendous celebration. Here on Earth, Ruth will be, greatly, missed. Our Mom, always, had a twinkle in her eye and a gorgeous smile. Even at 93, she was just plain cute, witty, and fun. Her hospitality, generosity, quick wit, good food, kind words, and her Christian faith will, always forever, be remembered. These words from Philippians 1:21 exemplified our mom's life and death: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 18, 2019, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Buffalo Center, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2019, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Buffalo Center, Iowa, with the Reverend Nathaniel Hedin-Schmidt officiating and Pastor Wendy Bertelsen and soon to be Pastor Jami Goetz assisting. Burial will be in Olena Mound Cemetery at Buffalo Center, Iowa.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be given in Ruth's name to: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Buffalo Center, Iowa, M Health Fairview, Minneapolis, Minnesota, or N.C. Little Hospice, Edina, Minnesota.

Oakcrest Funeral Services ~ Winter Chapel, Buffalo Center, Iowa, 2019.

Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
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