Nesset, Ruth B. (Fretheim) Ellingson 1925 - 2014

NESSET, FRETHEIM, ELLINGSON, MONSON, MANDSAGER, GRIMSTAD, STEINE, LEMBEZEDER, WAHLBERG, BAUERNFEIND, BRUENING, GOSTONCZIK, MUIR, ARI, STORTZ, PAPE, SCHUTZ, VANGSNESS, KABLISKA

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 11/21/2014 at 12:50:54

Ruth B. Nesset, age 89, of Decorah, died Sunday, November 16, 2014 at Barthell O.E.S Home in Decorah.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 20, 2014 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah with Rev. Melissa Bills officiating. Burial will be in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah.

Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 19 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, and on Thursday beginning at 10:00 A.M., one hour before the service, at First Lutheran Church.

Ruth Bernice Fretheim (Ellingson) Nesset was the second-born of ten children on March 24, 1925 to Joel and Emma (Monson) Fretheim. She was raised on a farm between Ridgeway and Decorah. Ruth was baptized and confirmed at Madison Lutheran Church. She has been a long-time member of First Lutheran Church in Decorah.

Ruth married Darwin D. Ellingson of Decorah on March 4, 1942 and they were blessed with three daughters: VaLois (Orlin) Mandsager, Diane (Larry) Grimstad, and Roxann (Mark) Steine. She earned her certificate and license in cosmetology in Waterloo. For 21 years Ruth owned and operated a beauty shop in her Decorah home.

Ruth was an excellent baker, knitter, and loved quilting. Nana made a quilt for each of her 10 grandchildren for high school graduation. Flowers were special to her and she spent many hours tending her flower garden. Ruth was a member (and baker) of Luther College Women’s Club, delivered many Meals on Wheels, worked at many church events, and looked forward to all of the holiday celebrations.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Darwin on December 31, 2000; and two brothers, Jules and Lyle Fretheim.

On May 16, 2004, she married Kenneth R. Nesset and they enjoyed ten years together.

Ruth is survived by her second husband Kenneth Nesset; her three daughters: VaLois (Orlin) Mandsager of Northfield, MN, Diane (Larry) Grimstad of Decorah, and Roxann (Mark) Steine of Cedar Rapids, IA; ten grandchildren: Jennifer (John) Lembezeder, Beth (Tom) Wahlberg, Emily (Randy) Bauernfeind, Amy (Keith) Bruening, Sarah (Paul) Gostonczik, Ben (Padrin) Grimstad, Hans (Denae) Steine, Joseph (Ann) Grimstad, Annie (Seth) Muir, and Mary (Eylon) Grimstad Ben Ari; 25 great grandchildren; 3 brothers: Stanley (Delores) Fretheim of Ridgeway, IA, Joel Fretheim of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Emory (Elaine) Fretheim of Decorah; 4 sisters: Hazel Stortz of Decorah, Jane (Phil) Pape of Spring Hill, FL, Doris (Howard) Schutz of Scottsdale, AZ, and Shirley (Lee) Vangsness of Decorah; sister-in-law Vernelle Kabliska of Cresco, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

She will be greatly missed.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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