Ruth Thompson

Tuesday, May 24, 2016 2:46 pm

Ruth Thompson, 94, of Decorah, died Monday, May 16, 2016, at Aase Haugen Senior Services at Decorah. Services were at 11 a.m., Monday, May 23, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Chad Huebner officiating. Organist was Dean Beckman. Soloist was Don DiLaura (“Softly and Tenderly” and “Go Rest High on That Mountain”). Hymns were “What a Friend we have in Jesus” and “Amazing Grace.” Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Ruth Theoline (Rude) Thompson was born June 21, 1921, in Glenwood Township, Winneshiek County, the daughter of Herman and Minnie (Qualley) Rude. She was baptized and confirmed at Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church. Ruth attended Daubney School No. 6. She married Harold Thompson at the Methodist Parsonage in Decorah May 12, 1939. To this union six children were born. Ruth lived all but one year of her life in Winneshiek County. She had a full and diverse life. At age 12 she hired out as a housekeeper and babysitter for neighbors. She was a cook in several area restaurants, had been a personal caregiver, worked at Hales dress shop, worked in housekeeping at Luther College and the Decorah Hospital. The job that she enjoyed the most was as a data processor for 15 years at CamCar. Ruth played the guitar as a child and she had loved country music and dancing ever since. She could answer any question you would ask her about the entertainers of country music. Bus trips to Nashville and Branson were special times for her. She enjoyed entertaining dear friends whether it be for coffee parties, luncheons or card parties. Family was very important to Ruth and she hosted many large family gatherings. She thrived on cooking, baking, canning, picnics and her flowers. Other favorite pastimes were bowling, watching country music programs on TV, Nascar Races, casinos and of course shopping. Ruth’s home was decorated for every holiday. Her favorites were Halloween, which she always dressed up for, and Christmas. Ruth was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxillary and the First Lutheran Church in Decorah. She looked forward to weekly visits from the church personnel when she could no longer attend church herself.

Ruth is survived by her children: Cheryl (Gerald) Lenguadoro, Iowa Falls; David (Sharon) Thompson, Decorah; Wanda (James Erwin) Haas, Decorah; Steven Thompson, Thornton, Colo.; Pamela Hansen, Charles City; and Douglas Thompson, Monona; along with 15 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Margret Swanson, West Richland, Wash., Laverne Tiernan, Decorah and Darlene Vine, Decorah; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Minnie Rude; husband, Harold Thompson, April 28, 1960; brothers: Myron Rude, Harry Rude, Irvin Rude, Norman Rude and Robert Rude; sisters: Esther Kjarland, Viola Flaskrud, Inez Hermanson and Bessie Rude; son-in-law, Gene Hansen.