Marjorie Ruth Carlson was born on December 19, 1927 in Madison, SD to parents Benjamin and Minnie (Boeck) Long. Ruth passed away December 5, 2012 at Bethesda Nursing Home in Beresford, SD at the age of 84. She had one sister and 5 brothers. After the death of her mother, her father married Gladys Hagen. To this marriage a step-sister and two half brothers were added. Ruth attended school in Madison and graduated in 1945. Ruth worked at the telephone office in Sioux Falls, SD as a telephone operator. She married Gerald Carlson at Camp Carson in Colorado Springs in 1950 while he was in the Army. After he was discharged, they farmed in South Dakota and Illinois. They returned back to the family farm north of Beresford where they raised a family of three children. Ruth enjoyed going to Arizona in the winter after they retired. She was a member of Beresford Zion United Methodist Church where she was active in Lincoln County Extension Club. In October, Ruth became a resident of Bethesda Nursing Home. She appreciated the care she received. She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 sister and 6 brothers. Ruth is survived by her siblings LaVonna Tinsley and LeRoy Long; her children Shirley (Roger) Mortensen of Gillette, WY, Steve (Helene) Carlson of Beresford, and Mona (Pat) Murphy of Evergreen, CO; ten grandchildren, Randy Mortensen, Holly (Mike) Hofer, Amy Carlson, Lisa (Matthew) Olsen, Christy Carlson and Andra, Alicia, Alex, Abbey and Alayna Murphy; four great grandchildren Landon, Jera, Ta'Vari and Austin; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Memorial services will be held 11:00AM Saturday, December 15 at Beresford Zion United Methodist Church in Beresford. Greetings may be directed to the Carlson family at 28625 470 Avenue, Beresford, SD.