Johnson, Ruth Joan (1935-2016)
JOHNSON, HATTEBERG, PRESCOTT, HAPPEL, JOHNSON, PEDERSEN, GOLF
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/23/2016 at 12:35:55
Ruth Joan Johnson
January 11, 1935 - April 15, 2016Surrounded by her family, Ruth Joan Johnson, 81, of Forest City, passed away on Friday, April 15, 2016, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.
Ruth Joan (Hatteberg) Johnson, a daughter of Gerhard and Tobie (Prescott) Hatteberg, was born in Radcliffe, Iowa, on January 11, 1935. After graduating from Radcliffe High School and Waldorf University, she earned a Bachelor‘s in Business Administration from Mankato State University. On July 5, 1959, she married Robert Johnson at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. Their married life epitomized the qualities of love and faithfulness to each other.
For three years from 1959 to 1962, Ruth served as Church Secretary/Parish Worker for St. Andrew‘s Lutheran Church in Ames while Bob attended Iowa State University. After they moved to Forest City, she worked in various capacities at Waldorf, in the Development Office, Student Recruitment, and Student Life. For many years, she, also, served as Secretary to the President at Waldorf University. The first person to hold the position of Director of Church Operations at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, Ruth served in that capacity as well for several years before she retired.
Active in many community organizations including P.E.O., Ruth held several offices. Indeed, she had a passion for serving others, especially the less advantaged. An active member of the Hospice of North Iowa Board, she served as president for one year. On one occasion, she went so far as to give away the green family van to help one family in need, much to the dismay of her husband. For many years, she organized the Hospice Salad Luncheon and Hospice Golf Tournament. Over the years, she and Bob, also, sponsored several Waldorf Lutheran Leaders. In addition, they would invite Waldorf students over to their home as a home-away-from-home. She never went on a shopping trip without bringing back items intended specifically for others. She spent a great deal of time assisting refugee families settling into the community, answering business questions, and offering advice and counsel when language became a barrier. Moreover, she loved organizing coffee parties or picnics for newcomers to the Waldorf family. In addition, she belonged to Immanuel’s Women of the Church and sang alto in the Immanuel Choir for over forty years.
Ruth enjoyed tending her flower garden, spending time outdoors, decorating, visiting friends and family, traveling, and shopping for sales. She came from a large family she treasured dearly. She was concerned about the welfare of each one. She found her ultimate joy and delight, however, in her children, especially in her grandchildren. She enjoyed years of attending their concerts, sporting events, musicals, and plays.
Ruth is survived by Bob, her cherished husband of fifty-six years; her two children, Kris (Ron) Happel, of Forest City, and Greg (Liz) Johnson, of Falcon Heights, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Jonathan, Daniel, and Sarri Happel and Julia and Charlie Johnson; and one sister, Mavis Hatteberg, of Story City, Iowa; as well as by several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her parents-in-law, Oscar and Mina Johnson; her sisters, Hazel Pedersen and Rhoda Golf; her brother, Gerb Hatteberg; her brothers-in-law, Phil Golf and Kenny Pedersen; and her sister-in-law, Patricia Hatteberg.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Pastor Rod Hopp officiating. Burial of cremains will follow in Oakland Cemetery. A gathering of friends and family will take place at the Cataldo-Schott Funeral Chapel on Monday, April 18, 2016, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. The family suggests directing memorials to the Waldorf Foundation, Hospice of North Iowa, the Good Samaritan Center, or Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Copyright © 2016, Cataldo Schott Funeral Home
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