Ruth M. Lunde, 87, of rural Harlow, died Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at Trinity Homes in Minot. Funeral services were Saturday, June 16, 2012, at Leeds Lutheran Church in Leeds. Interment was in the Brinsmade Lutheran Cemetery at Brinsmade. The Nelson Funeral Home of Leeds was in charge of the arrangements.
Ruth Marie Lunde was born Sept. 3, 1924, on the family farm near Tilden, to Joseph and Josephine (Foss) Kirkeide. She graduated from Brinsmade High School in May 1942 and then spent several months in South Dakota receiving special treatment for rheumatic fever. Ruth returned home and worked in a cook car, where she met Clarence Lunde. They were married on June 6, 1943, at Devils Lake. The couple lived and farmed in Butte Valley Township near Harlow until their retirement. Clarence died Feb. 3, 1998. Ruth continued to reside on the farm until several months ago, when she became a resident of Trinity Homes in Minot.
Ruth was a member of Brinsmade Lutheran Church and its ladies aid until its closure. She then became a member of Leeds Lutheran Church and was active in the WELCA, sewing and quilting circles. Ruth was a lifetime member of the Robert Tovsrud VFW Post 757 Auxiliary of Harlow and served as the secretary-treasurer for many years. She also assisted many years with the Cancer Drive. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, quilting, bingo, crossword puzzles, playing solitaire and pinochle. Ruth will be fondly remembered for her baking, especially apple pies, lefse and donuts. It is estimated she made over 5,000 donuts.
Surviving are her children, including a daughter, Agnes (Jerry) Filler, of Minot, and five sons, Carter (Beverly) of Minot, Kenneth, of rural Leeds, Joel, Jerry (Barb) and Paul (Cheryl) Lunde, all of Maddock; 14 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Sally Lunde, of Rugby, and Bernice Lunde, of Mason City, Iowa; a brother-in-law, Dr. Sam Leishear, of Camp Springs, Md.; a number of nieces and nephews and special friend since 1938, Maxine (Ted) Yri, of Leeds.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Everett; an infant child; and brothers Bernard Kirkeide, Lloyd Kirkeide and John Stensaker.
Online condolences may be left at (www.thenelsonfuneralhome.com).