Ruth Marie Carlson

Ruth Marie (Lindgren) Carlson was born on May 5, 1925 to Carl and Lilly (Larson) Lindgren in St. Paul, MN.  She grew up and attended school in So. St. Paul, graduating from So. St. Paul High School in 1941 at the age of 16.  She attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN, and later transferred to the University of MN, graduating in 1945 with a degree in business.  It was at Gustavus that Ruth met the love of her life, Vernon Carlson, also a freshman, who spotted her in the registration line on the first day of class, and knew she was someone special.

After graduation, Ruth worked in downtown Minneapolis and later, while Vernon was in the Navy, moved to San Francisco for a year of work and adventure.

Ruth and Vernon were married at Bethesda Lutheran Church in So. St. Paul on June 12, 1947.  They lived in the Twin Cities where Ruth worked in the business office of Breck School and Vernon attended the University of MN Medical School, graduating in 1951.  They moved to Moorhead, MN in 1952 where Vernon began his first family medicine practice and became a much-loved physician at St. Ansgar Hospital.  Ruth was a loving mom to their 5 children born of this union, David, Cathy, John, Mary Ann & Verna.  She and Vernon were married for 33 years until his sudden death in 1980.  Ruth showed incredible fortitude as she continued her life with grace and strength after the loss of her beloved husband.

Ruth was active at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Moorhead, serving in many volunteer capacities. She was active in PEO Chapter CO where she was a member for over 50 years.  She enjoyed her book clubs, F-M Symphony concerts, Swedish Society, theater and music.  She was intensely proud of her Swedish heritage and hosted St. Lucia parties at her home. Ruth also loved to travel, and took trips to Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Ireland, Australia, and all across the U.S.  She was never afraid to try something new, and learned to alpine ski in her 40’s which led to many memorable family ski trips to Colorado and Montana.  The family lake cabin on Star Lake was a favorite place for her to relax and spend time with family and friends.

Ruth was passionate about her family and took great joy in being a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was the perfect hostess for all occasions and had a unique gift for decorating, cooking and baking, including her legendary chocolate chip cookies.  She loved to celebrate holidays, remembering all the details and making every event fun and memorable.  Her perfect “touches” were unsurpassed. She had a talent for style and enjoyed her time working at the Classic in Moorhead.

Ruth’s intense interest in and curiosity about other places, ideas and people made her a fun person to spend time with. She was always asking questions and trying to learn something new.  She had the gift of engaging her grandchildren in conversation about whatever point they were at in their lives, reaffirming their special place in her heart.

Ruth likely set a record for attendance at Cardiac Rehab Exercise class at Essentia Hospital, attending 3 days a week since 1997, forming strong bonds with her nurses and therapists and making many friends along the way.

Her family will be forever grateful for having the best mom in the world.  We will miss her deeply.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Lilly Lindgren; sister, Verna Howard; husband, Vernon Carlson; and son, David Carlson.  She is survived by her children,  Cathy Carlson (Gerard O’Sullivan) of Shoreview, MN; John (Renae) Carlson of St. Michael, MN; Mary Ann (James) LIchtsinn of Moorhead, MN;  Verna Carlson of St. Paul, MN; and daughter-in-law Mary Persoon of Minneapolis, MN.  Nine grandchildren also survive her:  Kathleen Carlson, Ann Carlson, Luke (Jenna) Carlson, Andrew (Cecelia) Carlson, John (Hannah) Lichtsinn, Andrea Lichtsinn, Mary O’Sullivan, Aisling O’Sullivan and Amina Grouni and 4 great-grandchildren, Linnea Lichtsinn, Kai Lichtsinn, Beckley Carlson and Odin Carlson.

Ruth died at the age of 93 on May 7, 2018, in Essentia Health in Fargo.  Her family is deeply grateful to Dr. Neumann and all of the incredible staff at Essentia for their knowledgeable and compassionate care of Ruth and the respect and consideration they showed her entire family.

Memorials can be sent to Bethesda Lutheran Church in Moorhead.

Visitation: Friday, May 11, 2018, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Funeral: Saturday, May 12, 2018, at 1:30 P.M. . in Bethesda Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN.

Interment: Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.

Video tribute and online guestbook at www.wrightfuneral.com