RUEN, Florence (Pilgrim) 1908-2000

BIRDSELL, PILGRIM, RUEN, JOHNSON, ROACH, THOMAS

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 9/1/2010 at 14:34:42

Decorah Public Opinion, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2000

Florence Ruen

Florence Ruen, 92, of Decorah died Dec. 1, 2000 at Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church with Rev. Kim W. Smith officiating.

The Eulogy was given by Dr. Kevin Roach and Jessica Ott. Organist was Paul Bruvold. Soloist David E. Judisch sang "Lift High the Cross." Congregational hymns included "Now Thank We All Our God," "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us" and "How Great Thou Art."

Pallbearers were her seven grandsons: Dr. David Ruen, Kevin Ruen, Eric Johnson, Karl Johnson, William Roach, Walter Roach and Dr. Kevin Roach.

Burial was at Washington Prairie Lutheran Cemetery. Fjelstul Funeral Home of Decorah handled the arrangements.

Florence Ruen was born on May 18, 1908, in Frankville Township to Walter B. and Lottie (Birdsell) Pilgrim.

She was baptized and confirmed on July 3, 1921. Florence attended Birdsell School and then attended two years of high school at the Stone School in Frankville. She completed her high school education in Postville, and then attended Normal School in Cedar Falls for a year. Upon returning to Winneshiek County she taught at the Birdsell School and also at the Stone School in Frankville.

On May 27, 1930, she married Arthur Ruen at her parents' home in Frankville Township. They farmed in the Frankville area, finally farming the Ruen farm for 43 years.

In 1970 they moved to Decorah to a house they designed and Arthur Ruen built.

Florence Ruen moved to Eastern Star Nursing Home in 1994 where she was a resident until her death.

Florence Ruen was a member of Frankville Presbyterian Church and active in the Sunday School and Ladies Aid. Later she became a member of Washington Prairie Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School and Bible School and was active in the Women of the ELCA. She was a member of the Outlook Study Club.

In addition to demonstrating Hardanger at Nordic Feist, Florence Ruen enjoyed crocheting and embroidery with family and friends. She was a dedicated homemaker and able to assist in the management of the family farm and diary herd.

Florence Ruen was the 4-H leader for the Bonnie Bluebirdettes, plus serving on the Winneshiek County Girls 4-H Committee and recognized as 4-H "Leader of the Year."

Florence and Arthur Ruen were honored as Parade Grand Marshals in the 1994 Frankville Days Parade.

Survivors of Florence Ruen include one son, Carlton 'Carl' Ruen of Decorah; two daughters, Elaine, and Donald Johnson of Akron; Ohio and Kathryn and William Roach of St. Paul; 13 grandchildren and 29 greatgrandchildren: Duanne Ott of Dyersville; Michael and Jennie of Iowa City; Amanda and Jessica of Dyersville; Dr. David and Susan Ruen, Cameron, Brandon, Devon, Aaron and Ellison of Mason City; Karla and Kelly Koenig, Kelly II and Karin of Waunakee, Wisc.; Kevin Ruen, Richard, Erica, and Michael of Brainerd, Minn.; Lea and Douglas Daniels, Marshall of Virginia Beach, Va; Eric and Pam Johnson, Alexandria, Daniel and Taylor, of Ottumwa; Kristi and Kevin Carpenter, Stephanie, Jared and Brent of Avon Lake, Ohio; Elizabeth and Mark Gerberich, Matthew, Thomas and Joel of Akron, Ohio; Karl and Beth Johnson, Brian and Kelly of Dublin, Ohio; Karen and Keith Wedinger, Brenda and Kimberly of Powell, Ohio; William Roach and Lisa Schwartz of Plymouth,Minn.; Walter and Nancy Roach of Lisle, IL.; Drs. Kevin and Moha Roach, Steven and Kathryn of Hastings, Minn, and one sister, Evelyn Thomas of Decorah. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Florence Ruen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Arthur Ruen on January 31, 1997, and a brother Lawrence Pilgrim in 1975, and a niece, Claudette in Nov. 2000.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.