Ruth F. Johnson — Mitchell, S.D.

Ruth F. Johnson, 96, of Mitchell, S.D., died Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, at Firesteel Health Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at the First Presbyterian Church in Mitchell.

Visitation will be Thursday, Nov. 14, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Will Funeral Chapel, 210 E. Green Drive, Mitchell, S.D., 57301, at 6 p.m. there will be Easton Star Rites followed by a prayer service. Burial will be in the American Legion Cemetery.

Ruth was born on a homestead near Minnedoka, Idaho, April 11, 1917, to Eugene and Frieda (Wolff) Heck. Her family moved to Tolstoy, S.D., where they lived 12 years. They moved to Gettysburg, S.D., in 1931, where Ruth attended high school. She worked in her father's Harness and Shoe Repair Shop in Tolstoy and Gettysburg. She graduated from DWU in 1941, with a degree in commercial science. She taught at Hopper School for two years. On Nov. 27, 1941, she married Vernon C. Johnson. After the war they lived in Plankinton for four years and Lake Andes 18 years, before moving to Mitchell in January 1969, where Ruth worked in Feinstein's about six-and-a-half years and for Reginald Martin Insurance some 20 years.

As her children were growing up, she spent much of her time sewing for her family, making everything from diapers to wedding dresses. She also did upholstering, made draperies, various craft items, and refinished furniture. She had been active in various clubs such as Garden Club, Hobby Club, was a Girl Scout leader, and was active in the Presbyterian Church, as elder, deacon, trustee, Sunday school teacher, Circle chairman, PW Assoc. President. She did volunteer work through Brady and the Senior Center for a number of years. She was a past matron of the Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed playing bridge and pinochle, and going to exercise classes.

Ruth is survived by her three daughters, Dianne (Mrs. Robert Peterka) of Sioux Falls; Sheryl (Mrs. Mark Tasler) of Fountain Hills, Ariz., and Judine (Mrs. Curt Hills) of Rochester; four granddaughters, Dawn Peterka, Shawn Peterka, Sara and Megan Tasler; two great-grandsons, Josh and Jason Baker; two sisters, Verona (Bill) Vroman and Virginia Malde; and brother, Walter E. (Jean) Heck; three great-great-grandchildren.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon, a sister, Esther, and her parents.

Full obituary and online guestbook can be viewed at WillFuneralChapel.com .