RESCHEDULED:  Visitation will be 11AM-12PM Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021 with a family service at 12PM at Wass Funeral Chapel in Centerville, SD with interment following at 1PM at Holland Cemetery .

Please wear masks. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Ridgewood Church, 4420 County Road 101, Minnetonka, MN  55345 or the Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc. 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC  28201.

Ruth Eleanore Johnson Ostrem was born August 18, 1928 at Hooker SD to parents Thomas and Ella (Andahl) Johnson.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Centerville, SD.  Ruth grew up on a farm near Vermillion, SD, attended grade school in Westerville, SD and graduated from Centerville High School.  She attended Yankton College and taught Country School for 2 years. Ruth met the love of her life, Clarence Ostrem and they were married June 8, 1948.  One daughter, Judith Kaye, was born to them in 1950.  They farmed near Centerville until Clarence "Bub" was tragically killed in a farm accident in 1965.  Ruth and Judy move to Centerville after Bub's death and she lived there until 1983. She worked as a cashier at a grocery store and in the bakery until she became the secretary for the Superintendent at Centerville schools.  In 1983, Ruth moved to Minneapolis, MN to be with her daughter and family.

She did much babysitting for people in the area and developed close relationships with many of the families.  Ruth then went to work as a cashier at New Market and Lunds.  She attended Ridgewood Church and was very involved in Bible Studies as she loved to read God's Word and was an avid prayer warrior.  Ruth loved to cook and bake, crochet and knit and will always be known for her peanut butter balls, caramels, Special K bars and caramel rolls.  She gave away many dishcloths and dish towels which she had lovingly made by hand.  Ruth spent her life giving to others and will be greatly missed.

She died January 10, 2021 in St. Louis Park, MN at the age of 92 years. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Ella; her husband, Bub; brothers, Arnold, Lester, and Kenneth; sisters-in-law, Mary Lois, (Eldon), Leone Ostrem Anderson, Phyllis (Ostrem) Larson, Joyce Ostrem Edman and Anna Mae Ostrem Nelson; brothers-in-law, Dorwin Larsen, Russel Angerson, Robert and Arnold Ostrem, Gordon Larson and Eldon Edman; a niece Lynnette Graber and an infant brother.

She is survived by daughter, Judy and son-in-law, Dan McAthie; grandson, Jason and wife Deedra; granddaughter, Stacy and husband Todd and five great-grandchildren, Allie and Max McAthie and Cooper, Noah and Madeline Wood; a brother, Eldon; a sister, Louise; sisters-in-law, Lois Johnson (Kenneth), Nory Johnson (Eldon), Beverly Johnson (Lester) Marie Ostrem (Arnold); a brother-in-law, Boyd Ostrem, as well as many nieces and nephews.