Ruth attended country school, then graduated from Arthur High School in 1949. She participated in vocal music and was a contributor to the yearbook for Arthur High School. Ruth told the story of a neighbor that flew the Sullivan children to school in Arthur in his crop duster.

Ruth married Donald J. Ellenson on November 27, 1950, at Herby Lutheran Church, Argusville, ND. To this marriage, five children were born. Once married, they lived and raised their family near Arthur and Harwood, ND, until settling on Thorp Herford Ranch, Britton, SD until retiring to Fargo, ND in 1992. After Donald’s death, she joined her daughter Judy at Good Samaritan Society in Fargo for three years.

Ruth spent much of her time raising children and caring for the family. Most Saturdays, her kitchen was filled with the aroma of breads, sweet rolls, and pies baking. Ruth made many jams and jellies for the family, most from the fruits found growing wild around the ranch. Ruth and Donald planted a large garden every year on the ranch. Ruth canned a lot of produce for the family in addition to supplying friends and neighbors with the inevitable excess. Fellow ranch families and neighbors were always special to Ruth.

Ruth enjoyed her time at the sewing machine. In addition to her almost daily mending chores, she found a fondness for quilt making. She made sure that each child and grandchild had a quilt from her den. Ruth joined the quilters at First Lutheran Church in Britton, SD. The folks she quilted with were special to her, she deeply loved the activity and comradery. Ruth also enjoyed a good book and was an avid reader until her eyesight prevented her from partaking of this beloved activity.

Ruth is survived by her daughter Joan (Gary) Tisher of Cheyenne, WY, sons James of Redfield, SD, John of Salcha, AK, and Gene (Melinda) of Huron, SD; grandchildren, Robert (Lisa) Tisher of Thornton, CO, Jeff (Deb) Tisher of Cheyenne, WY, Justin Ellenson of Aberdeen, SD, Melissa (Austin) Zastrow, of Redfield, SD, and Jill (Tom) Tomsha of Tulare, SD; sister-in-law Lois Sullivan of Fargo, ND; and many great and great-great grandchildren.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, parents, daughter Judy, brothers Duane Sullivan, and Ralph Sullivan and wife Phyllis Sullivan, nephews Roger Sullivan and David Sullivan and wife Judy Sullivan, inlaws Oscar and Anne (Regier) Ellenson, daughter-in-law Verna (Foote) Ellenson, great grand-daughter Kennedy Tomsha, and grandson in law JasonSchumacher. Visitation:

Friday, September 27, 2024 from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM at West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND. Funeral: Friday, September 27, 2024 at 10:00 AM at West Funeral Home, West Fargo. Interment

: Friday, September 27, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Oakwood Cemetery, Harwood, ND.