Obituary of Ruth Louise Ellwanger

Ruth Ellwanger, gone from this earth to be with the Lord on April 8, 2023 at the age of 97.  She was a loving Wife, Mother, Grandma, Grandmum, Great Great Grandmum, Aunt, and Friend.  Ruth is survived by 11 children, Donovan Jr. (Sue), David, Dan (Ginny) Charles, Thomas (Tanya), Jan, James (Tammy), Mary (d.Scott) Degel, William (Pam), Peter (Laura), Stephen (Lisa), Elizabeth; 21 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; many loving nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Donovan Sr., 4 sisters, and a brother.  

Born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Ruth met the love of her life, Donovan, at the University of North Dakota. They were married in 1944 in Battle Creek, Michigan.  Donovan’s service in the US Army Air Corps had he and Ruth stationed in Nevada, Florida, and North Dakota until settling in Minnesota to raise their family. Ruth dedicated her life to raising their 11 children.  She was a devout Catholic and served at Presentation of Mary Church in Maplewood as a sacristan and altar minister.  She attended daily Mass and also volunteered with the school children, funeral lunches, and church festivals for more than 40 years.  Ruth worked as the school “nurse” at Mounds Park Academy and Gethsemane Lutheran School.  She loved to travel, making trips to Germany, Ireland, the Holy Land, and cruises, too.  Ruth loved to share stories about her ancestors, the Griffins and the Carrolls, host large family gatherings, and have her grandchildren stay overnight.  Ruth was proud of her Irish heritage and loved to bless people with an Old Irish Blessing when she could.  When Ruth’s health declined seven years ago, she moved into the Cerenity Marian Center in St. Paul, where she could attend daily Mass.  Throughout her time there she was blessed to have the care from the 4th Floor staff and in the last few months the hospice team from Health Partners.  Mass of Christian Burial will occur on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at St. Casimir Catholic Church in St. Paul, MN, at 11 o’clock a.m.  Visitation is 1 hour prior to Mass time. Lunch will be served in the church hall following mass.  Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery Annex, North St. Paul. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are preferred to Presentation of Mary Church, St. Casimir Church, Cerenity Marian Center, or the donor’s choice. 

“Until we meet again, may God keep you in the hollow of His hand.”