Service Information
Betty E. Ruskamp, wife of Les, age 76, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023, at her home in Hutchinson.
Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota with interment in the church cemetery.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held Tuesday, May 23, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 P.M., at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorials preferred to Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.
Obituary
Betty Elaine Ruskamp was born on June 19, 1946, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was the adopted daughter of Donald and Esther (Schumann) Smith. Betty was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in her faith as a youth, both at St. Peter’s Evangelical Church in Ellsworth Township, Minnesota. She attended grade school in Ellsworth Township and later transferred to Litchfield Public Schools, and was a graduate of the Litchfield High School Class of 1964. Betty furthered her education at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
On October 2, 1971, Betty was united in marriage to Leslie “Les” Ruskamp at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with two children, Michele and Joel. They made their home in Hutchinson where they shared 51 years of marriage.
Betty was employed at 3M for many years before becoming a para-professional for the Hutchinson School District. She enjoyed helping children with their math skills and was always excited when her students recognized her later on in their education. She retired after 25 years of service. Betty was a very active member of Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, where she served on the Altar Guild and on the Flower Committee. She taught Sunday School for many years at both St. Peter Evangelical Church and Peace Lutheran Church, and directed many children’s Christmas programs.
Betty enjoyed bowling and bowled for 47 years on various leagues at Hutch Bowl in Hutchinson. She helped coach youth bowling leagues, and enjoyed traveling to the Women’s State Bowling Championships where she would often spend a lot of time playing FARKLE with all of her teammates. Betty attended her last tournament at the beginning of May this year. She donated much of her time doing volunteer work for Peace Lutheran Church and the Hutchinson Hospital. Betty also enjoyed the theater and both acted and assisted with various plays with the Hutchinson Theater Company. She also loved watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings play, especially when they were winning. Betty and Les spent a lot of time at their Cabin on Leech Lake watching beautiful sunsets from the deck and fishing for big crappies, sunfish, and an occasional dogfish. Betty especially enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, friends, and dog, Ellie.
Betty passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023, at her home in Hutchinson, at the age of 76 years.
Blessed be her memory.
Betty is survived by her:
Husband, Les Ruskamp of Hutchinson, MN;
Children, Michele Gordon and her husband, Rob of Crystal, MN,
Joel Ruskamp of Hutchinson, MN;
Grandchildren, Nicholas Gordon of Crystal, MN,
Rebecca Gordon of Crystal, MN;
Special Dog, Ellie;
Many other relatives and friends.
Betty is preceded in death by her Parents, Donald and Esther Smith; Brother, Charles Smith.
Lorraine Dahlberg says
Les, I’m so sorry to hear about Betty. My sympathy and prayers.
Jim and Nancy French says
Les and family,
So sorry to hear about Betty. We remember the times when we got together and she was so much fun with her wit and sense of humor.
Please know how much we are thinking of you.
Robert/Nancy Albrecht says
Les and family, our very deepest sympathy to you all. Rob and Nancy Albrecht
Kathy Berghuis says
So sorry to hear about Betty. Sending our sympathies.
Keith Anderson says
Hey sorry to hear about your loss she was a good friend and she was a funny person too I will miss her in the church to say hi to her all the time.
Mr. Jamie Alsleben says
Les & family,
Thank you so much for sharing such an amazing person with all of us. I got to know Betty as I started my teaching career at West Elementary. We had so much fun sharing in the laughter with the students we taught and supported. I appreciated sharing a sense of humor similar to her’s. It was also a great time hanging out with Betty on the volleyball court. Great people, good exercise and lots of laughter…and christening her with the nickname, “Betty! Betty! Good Betty!” was both waking her up to the fact that the ball was coming her way as much as it was about encouraging the good play in returning it to the other team.
Anybody coming in contact with Betty is a better person for having known her. Love, thoughts and prayers sent to your entire family!
Kat Ostrowski says
I am so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Ruskamp was always a safe person out on the playground when I attended school in the Hutchinson school district. It sounds like she was vibrant and active up to the end and that is so very hard. Again so sorry. I would love to have said hello to her if I saw her out in the community. Hugs to you all at this terribly sad time.
Cindy Karg says
Les and Family, so very sorry for your loss! May all the beautiful memories give you comfort during this difficult time.
Grace and Gene Chrast says
Les and family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Gene and Grace Chrast
Troy Kurth says
Sorry about her loss. I seen her every once in awhile at church and other events. I give you my deepest sympathy on this very hard time. My prayers are with you.
norine prather says
Dear Les and family,
So saddened to learn of Betty’s passing. We had the pleasure of being her downstairs neighbor when she lived in the apartments on Jefferson Street. Such a special lady. Our prayers are with you.
Norine (Prieve) Prather, Pauline (Prieve) Kasal and Shirley DeBlock
Rachel Burt says
Shelly and family,
I am so sorry for your loss- I just heard about Betty. May she Rest In Peace.
Rachel (van der Hagen) Burt