Ruth E. Gruys, age 96, of Annandale, died on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the Annandale Care Center.
Memorial Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Annandale, with Rev. Alex Becker officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025, at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls.
Ruth Effie Ostergren was born on August 29, 1928, to James and Effie (Anderson) Ostergren in Janesville, Wis. She grew up in Lewisburg, Pa., and was baptized on April 13, 1941, at the Lewisburg Baptist Church. Her family moved to Geneva, N.Y., in 1945 and she graduated from High School there in 1946. In 1947, Ruth entered the Mounds Midway School of Nursing in St. Paul, Minn., graduating in 1950 as a registered nurse. In 1948, Ruth met Arnold Gruys, and they married on December 30, 1950. They were blessed with four children – Douglas, Carol, Kenneth, and Bruce, 10 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.
Arnie and Ruth were active members of Rejoice Lutheran Church in Clearwater, and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Annandale. Ruth devoted her early career to healthcare as a nurse before choosing to focus her energy on raising her four children. She volunteered as an election judge, was active in the Annandale Improvement Club, and worked in school vaccination programs. Through these activities and many others, she shared her warmth, charm, and dedication to public service and community development.
Ruth cherished her many friends, but nothing brought her greater joy than time spent with her family. She delighted in trips to the family cabin in Northern Minnesota and to Southern Arizona, where she and Arnie spent many of their winters. They spent many enjoyable hours together playing board games, cards, and dominos.
Ruth is survived by her sons, Douglas of Bloomington, Kenneth (Julie) of Truckee, Calif., and Bruce (Denise) of Maple Grove; 10 grandchildren: David, Natalie, Matt, Britt, Holly, Kjerstin, Hanna, Peter, Gabby, and Nina; 9 great-grandchildren: Eli, Noah, Carol, Jerry, Klara, Oskar, Annika, Sylvan, and Viggo; and brother, Roy Ostergren of Seattle, Wash. She was preceded in death after 70 years of marriage by her beloved husband, Arnie, her parents, James and Effie Ostergren, daughter, Carol Gruys Miller, and brothers, Jim and Bert Ostergren.
Ruth’s grandchildren will serve as urn bearers. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.
Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute, and Service Webcast are online at www.dingmannfuneral.com .