Ruth Severson

Ruth Alma Severson, age 107, of Erwin South Dakota, passed away at Good Samaritan Society, De Smet South Dakota on June 10, 2022.

She was born on March 26, 1915, to Gustave and Martha Papendorf. She was baptized at St. John’s Evangelical Church in Wausau and confirmed at First Presbyterian Church in Wausau.

Ruth graduated from Wausau High School in 1933. After high school, she worked as a bookkeeper for the Singer Sewing Machine Company in Wausau and Minneapolis, Minnesota. While in Minneapolis, she did her patriotic duty of writing letters to a WWII service man. When he returned from his service, she married Idor Severson on October 12, 1947. The lived in Erwin, South Dakota always proud to have an American flag flying in front of their home.

During her time in Erwin, Ruth was an active member of the United Church of Christ, UCC Women’s Fellowship, American Legion Auxillary, the East Erwin Extension Club, the Erwin/Lake Preston Bridge Club, and was a founding member of the Chit and Chat Club. Ruth and Idor spent many years camping with a camping club as well as attending Army Air Force reunions.

Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, friends, neighbors, and nurses. She never forgot the nieces’ and nephews’ birthdays when they were growing up.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Idor; four sisters, Dorothy, Alda, Louise, and Margaret; brother, Leslie; and nephew, Tom.

A memorial service for Ruth will be held at the Legion Hall/United Church of Christ in Erwin on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 1:30 PM with the Rev. Marji Brewton officiating. Marilyn Jones will be the pianist. Burial will be in the Erwin Cemetery. At Ruth’s request, memorials may be sent to 43008 195th St. Bryant, SD 57221 to be divided for Prairie Retreat, Erwin UCC, and Erwin Cemetery Fund.

The family would like to thank and recognize the amazing care teams at Good Samaritan Society and Avera Hospice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth Severson, please visit our floral store.