Ruth Irene (Conley) PERKINS

CONLEY, PERKINS, MATTSON, SETTERHOLM, HENDRICKSON, LONEY, STEPHENSON, GODT, DRESDEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/15/2016 at 21:23:41

July 7, 1937 ----- September 12, 2016

Ruth Irene Conley Perkins, 79, died in the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, on Sept. 12, 2016. Ruth was born July 7, 1937, in Cloquet, to William Avery Conley, Sr., and Ruth Mildred (Mattson) Conley, the third of 13 children. Ruth was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July, 2016. Ruth had a sharp and inquisitive mind, enjoying puzzles, Jeopardy, and other intellectual challenges. She was a keen observer of life and seemed to remember everything she experienced. She was generous of spirit. She had many friendships which spanned most of her life. Her bright personality and joyful laugh enhanced every family gathering, and she will be profoundly missed. She was a flower that blossomed wherever she was planted. She made a home for her family, no matter where they lived.

Ruth grew up in Wrenshall. She graduated from Wrenshall High School in 1955 as Salutatorian of her class. She attended UMD and graduated from University of Minnesota Hospital's School of Nursing, Minneapolis in 1960. She worked as a medical-surgery nurse and intensive care nurse until 1965. She worked in the library in Kanawha, Iowa and the post office in Pigeon Falls, Wis. She also provided loving child care to several families over a period of 20 years.

Ruth married William G. Perkins on April 10, 1965 in Minneapolis. They served Lutheran congregations in Wisconsin and Iowa. Her witness and service in the Church and community included serving on the Church alter committee, making candles, being a Sunday School teacher, leading Women's Adult Bible Study, being a Cub Scout Den Mother, and making many quilts for Lutheran World Relief.

Ruthie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, William (Bill) A. Conley, Jr.; and her nephew, Rolf Mattson. She is survived by her husband, Bill, Duluth; three children, Andrew (Juanita), Lees Summit, Mo., Daniel (Annuska), Redmond, Wash., and Carolyn (Joel) Setterholm, New Brighton, Minn.; grandchildren, David and Angelica of Lees Summit, and Maxwell and Aidan of Redmond; brothers and sisters, Catherine (Carl) Mattson, Duluth, Thomas (Sharon) Conley, Golden Valley, Rita (Myron) Hendrickson, Hermantown, Michael (Riki) Conley, Proctor, Margaret (Werner) Godt, Bloomington, David (Jan) Conley, Lake Nebagamon, Averill (David) Loney, Duluth, Christine (Carl) Stephenson, Duluth, Stephen (Lynn) Conley, Wrenshall, Joel (Jayne) Conley, Wrenshall, and Matthew Conley, Duluth. She is also survived by one aunt, Charlotte Mattson, Wrenshall, and three sisters-in-law, Doris Conley, Wrenshall, Terri Conley, Willow River and Marilyn Dresden, Tempe, Ariz.; cousins, nieces, nephews and many caring and loving friends.

VISITATION: 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, in First Lutheran Church, Duluth, and will continue on Friday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Funeral Service in First Lutheran Church, 1100 E. Superior Street. Ruth will be laid to eternal rest near her family at Silver Brook Cemetery, Wrenshall. The family requests memorials be given to First Lutheran Church Library or Radio Station, CHUM, or as you desire.