Service Information
Ruth M. Ljungren, age 90, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at the Ecumen Oaks in Hutchinson.
Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2020, at 11:00 A.M., at Christ The King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with interment in the West Cemetery in Sebeka, Minnesota, at a later date.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2020, from 10:30 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., (one half hour) before the service, ALL AT CHURCH.
Please see www.ctkhutch.com for livestreaming of Ruth’s Memorial Service.
Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed.
Obituary
Ruth Martinora Ljungren was born on November 10, 1930, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Pastor Claes Daniel and Signe Mathilda (Carlson) Mattson. Ruth was baptized as an infant at the Lutheran Church in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth in Burdick, Kansas. Her school years were spent in Bergland, Ontario and Burdick, Kansas. In school, Ruth played and taught piano and organ to make money. She went to Bethany College in Kansas and graduated with a teaching degree from Bemidji State Teachers College in 1952. She taught elementary school in Walker, Thief River Falls, and Alexandria Minnesota.
While Ruth's parents were in Sebeka, Minnesota, they encouraged her to date the pharmacist son of one of the church members. On December 27, 1959, Ruth was united in marriage to Donald Ljungren at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Minnesota. As was typical of the time, Ruth gave up teaching when she married Don to have children. This marriage was blessed with two children, Wendy and Mark. Ruth and Don resided in White Bear Lake and then Cambridge, Minnesota. After the kids graduated, Ruth returned to teach pre-school at Cambridge Lutheran. After Don retired from pharmacy, they became snowbirds in Sun City Arizona (near daughter Wendy). Throughout her life, Ruth was an avid volunteer and an active member of the Lutheran churches. Due to health issues, Ruth and Don moved into an assisted living facility in Hutchinson, Minnesota in 2012 to be near son Mark’s family. They shared 60 years of marriage.
Ruth enjoyed traveling, walking, music and in retirement golfing. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren and friends.
Ruth passed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at the Ecumen Oaks in Hutchinson at the age of 90 years.
Blessed be her memory.
Ruth is survived by her:
Husband, Donald Ljungren of Hutchinson, MN;
Children, Wendy Ljungren-Mulkern of Kentwood, MI,
Mark Ljungren and his wife, Robin, of Hutchinson, MN;
Grandchildren, Alexander (Clarissa) Ljungren, Zachary (Rebecca) Ljungren, Melanie (Reid) McGraw, Ciaran Mulkern, and James Mulkern;
Great Grandchildren, Maxton Ljungren, Oaklyn McGraw, and Hadley McGraw;
Brother, Paul Mattson and his wife, DeLores, of Lakeville, MN;
Many other relatives and friends.
Ruth is preceded in death by her Parents, Claes and Signe Mattson; Brother, Rev. Richard and his wife Anna Mattson; and Son-In-Law, Terence Mulkern.
Cheryl Mattson says
Dear Don, Wendy, Mark and Family,
Due to the covid pandemic, we will livestream Ruth’s Memorial Service here at home tomorrow. We know it will be a meaningful service even though many people can’t attend in these times. It is with much sadness that I am not able to be there tomorrow.
It is a beautifully written Obituary honoring her life journey. I’ll always remember Aunt Ruth’s kindnesses and felt her love and support throughout my childhood and adulthood. She doted on me as a child and looked over my sisters and I, protectively. She taught us about our Swedish heritage when she took in Ingrid as an exchange student at your home in Cambridge. She threw my bridal shower when I married Tim thirty-four years ago. I have many memories of her as a strong, smart and independent woman.
With Love and Prayers,
Cheryl, Tim, Samantha & Madeleine
denise & Daniel Zimmerle says
May your memories be joy-filled. Know those near and far are thinking of you at this time of loss.
Carol Buelow says
We are sorry to hear about the passage of your Mom. Your Mom was a roommate of my Mom, Arliss Hauge, when she taught in Alexandria, MN. They remained lifelong friends. May God be with you and your family during this sad time.