Ruth Tiltrum was born January 6, 1922, rural Alcester, South Dakota, to parents Sigvald and Betsy (Larson) Lykken. Ruth passed away on June 15, 2007 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the age of 85 years, 5 months and 9 days. She attended Prospect Hill Elementary School and graduated from Alcester High School. Upon completion of one year at Southern State Teachers College she began her 35-year teaching career, 23 years in rural Union and Lincoln Counties, 11 years as 5th grade teacher at Alcester Elementary and one year in Panama City, Florida. While teaching, she completed her post-secondary education and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Sioux Falls College. Ruth was baptized, confirmed and married at Roseni Lutheran Church. On September 21, 1943, Ruth married Robert Tiltrum. They lived on a farm near Spink until 1964 and then moved to Alcester. Ruth and Bob wintered in Weslaco, Texas since their retirements. Ruth was a member of Nathanael Lutheran Church, Alcester VFW Auxiliary, and Alpha Delta Kappa Teachers Sorority. Ruth enjoyed tending her flowers, reading, traveling, dancing and cards. She especially liked traveling to visit her children and grandchildren. Her parents, husband, two brothers and four sisters precede her in death. Among those who survive and gratefully shared her life are her son Charles (Karon) Tiltrum of Aurora, SD; daughter Eilene (Paul) Thormodsgard of Green Bay, WI; four grandchildren Michael (Shana) Tiltrum, Michelle (Steven) Bayer, John (Lisa) Thormodsgard, Julie Thormodsgard; and eight great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Allyson and Natalie Tiltrum, Damon and Noah Bayer, David, Anna, and Benjamin Thormodsgard; and sister Selma Westin of Alcester. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 18th at Nathanael Lutheran Church, 209 Dakota Street, in Alcester. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday at Nathanael Lutheran Church with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.