Soon thereafter, the family moved to a farm in eastern Iowa. Ruth attended Country School near La Porte City, Iowa and graduated La Porte City High School in1940.
On August 10, 1945, Ruth was managing the Coast to Coast hardware store in Vinton, Iowa and met the District Manager for the Central Organization of Coast to Coast Stores in Minneapolis, Mel Elofson. They were married on April 21, 1946.
Ruth and Mel began their life together in Anoka, Minnesota, and during the first two and one-half years of married life she accompanied him on his "travels" throughout his Midwest/Mountain states territory assisting Coast to Coast Store owners. Later the Elofson's moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
In the spring of1956, Ruth and Mel purchased the Coast to Coast Store in Wayne, Nebraska and both worked full-time in the store.
In 1983, after 27 years in Wayne (and Mel's 40th year with Coast to Coast Stores) they retired. For a time afterward, Ruth worked for the new store owners in Wayne, Jack and Leslie Hausmann.
Mel was later diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and Ruth was his primary care-giver until he entered Elkhorn Manor in 1990. Ruth then moved to Fremont to be close to Mel, as well as, their two sons Larry and Rick. A special report on Alzheimer's in the March 16, 1993 Fremont Tribune chronicled their story. Mel passed away in December, 1994. Ruth played a significant role in assisting her son Larry in the raising of his two children, Jeannie and Jason, then 13 and 10.
In the early 90's, Ruth participated in a program of the state extension service called New Homebuilders, where she made special friends. They later formed their own monthly social club, Friends Forever.
As a member of Fremont's First United Methodist Church, Ruth regularly provided food and served in the kitchen whenever possible, as a volunteer for the Funeral Committee. She and Mel were formerly members of the First United Methodist Church in Wayne.
In September 1995, Ruth joined the AARP Foundation's Senior Community Service Employment Program and worked as a Teacher's Aide at the now-closed Northside Elementary School and she very much enjoyed working with the kids. The following year she became an Employment Specialist/Recruiter for that program.
During the 1999-2000 school year, Larry and his son Jason hosted an Arlington High School foreign exchange student named "Tony" from China. Ruth quickly became "Grandma" to Tony as well.
Ruth was a 12-year breast cancer survivor and her experience was highlighted in a special section of the
June 19, 2003 Fremont Tribune.
In October 2006, Ruth transferred from the AARP Foundation's program to the successor organization, Experience Works, Inc. Ruth continued to work until after her 84th birthday, with an official retirement date of November 15, 2007.
Ruth successfully beat a low-grade lymphoma with chemotherapy treatments in mid-2007, however, in late November a large mass was discovered in her brain. This proved to be a much more serious and aggressive high-grade type, Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma. She chose the treatment option that provided her with the best quality of life and her family agreed. She was admitted to A.J. Merrick Manor on December 15th.
She is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law: Dean and Nancy Elofson of Tucson, AZ, Larry Elofson of Fremont, and Rick and Lynette Elofson of North Bend; eight grandchildren: Amanda, Jason (Amy), Mike, and Shari of Fremont, Chris and Kathryn of Tucson, AZ , Jeannie (Dan) Jaspersen of Salamanca, NY, and Michelle (Brett) Wilkins of Arlington; seven great-grandchildren; one sister: Murldene Harmon of Vinton, IA; two brothers and sisters-in-law: Kenneth and Bernadette Wilson of Mesa, AZ and Wayne and Sally Wilson of Denver, IA; one sister-in-law: Doris Elofson of Clearwater, FL; nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Mel; one brother, Dale and his wife Joline; and two brothers-in-law, Ralph Elofson and Ted Harmon.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in consideration of the impact this disease had on Ruth's life and her family.
The funeral service for Ruth will be 10:30 AM Friday, Febr. 1, 2008 in the First United Methodist Church in Fremont with the Rev. Greg Hall officiating. A graveside service will be at 2:30 PM Friday in the Greenwood Cemetery in Wayne, Nebraska.
Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont will be on Thursday (Jan. 31st) from 2 to 8 PM, with the family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8 PM.
Condolences(25)
Jamie & Russ Bedsole
Fremont, NE Monday, February 4, 2008 Ruth was our neighbor for 3yrs. We would help her out with the mowing, shoveling, etc. and she would always insist on repaying us with food. We would see her outside and start up a conversation and before we knew it, a hour had pasted. We always loved hearing Ruth's stories about her life and about her family. She was a very caring person and will be greatly missed. Our deepest symphathy to Ruth's entire family. Jamie & RussNicole Palmer
Denver, Co Monday, February 4, 2008 Ruth was the best, she allways helped us out when we needed it. She was our neighbor for 7 years and we loved her. Our depest sympathy goes out to her family. From the Palmer Family.Hilbert & Kathleen Johs
Wayne, NE Friday, February 1, 2008 To Ruth's family, They were such a great couple. When you went to their store, you'd be sure that they would have what you asked for. They were nice business people. By observing the guest book entries they had many friends. We are thinking of you and have you in our prayers. God's Blessings,Delmar and Betty Heithold
Wayne, NE Thursday, January 31, 2008Kent and Lisa Rothanzl
North Bend, NE Thursday, January 31, 2008 Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Sorry for your lossSTEVE AND AMY SETTLES
NORTH BEND, NE Thursday, January 31, 2008 Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the whole Elofson family at this time of your sorrow. Always remember your friends are praying for your family at this time and your loss of your mother,mother-in-law, and grandmother. She was such a sweet person and always had kind words when we would meet. Her smile was infectious. May God bless Ruth Elofson and her whole family. Steve & Amy SettlesTerry Marshall
Fremont, Ne Thursday, January 31, 2008 My thoughts are with you Larry and your family. Was always a pleasure to see Ruth when she'd stop by the office or doing a demonstration at a local store. She always recognized my son and I, and we'd have a nice visit, Ruth was very kind and always a joy to see. God Bless, Terry and Austin MarshallTammy, Galen, Anthony & Dawson Heiser
Stuart, NE Thursday, January 31, 2008 Our deepest sympathies goes out to you during this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.Maxine Martin
Omaha, Ne Thursday, January 31, 2008 My Mother and I met Ruth on our trip to LaCrosse, Wi. She helped me drive there. The three of us had a very nice time going and coming back, we will miss her laugh and her smile, she was a jewel.Nan Cunningham
Fremont, NE Thursday, January 31, 2008 I had the great joy of meeting Ruth several years ago when she served as a HOSTS mentor at the Fremont Learning Center. She faithfully attended weekly sessions with her student and offered support, friendship, school work help and her great sense of humor to her young mentees. She was full of life and shared her many great gifts and talents willingly. She lived her life to the fullest and we are all better and richer for having known her. God bless all of her family during this sad time. What did Ruth teach me? That cancer can't keep us down...that we are as young as we feel and that life is full of possibilities....what a wonderful woman!!!Andy, Tiffany and Kylin Swanson
North Bend, NE Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Our deepest sympathies to the entire Elofson family! You are in our thoughts and prayers! Andy, Tiffany and Kylin SwansonDiana Booze
Beemer, Ne Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Was so sorry to hear about Ruth. She was a very special person. My prayers and sympathy goes out to the family. I met Ruth when I applied for work with AARP back in March of 2004. The last time I seen and talked to her was about October of 2007. She will sadly be missed.Stan and Marilyn Ortmeier
Beemer,, NE Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Ruth worked for us when we owned the Wayne's True Value store in Wayne, NE. She was a wonderful person, always so upbeat and helpful and energetic. She would stop in to see us and our daughter, Ruth, at the store in Beemer when she was on her way from and to Wayne and Fremont. We remember her fondly and offer our heartfelt condolences to her family.Sarah
Killbuck, NY Wednesday, January 30, 2008 My deepest sympathies to the whole family. I only met Ruth a few times but she was always very kind, sweet, and smiling. Jeannie adored her and had the best things to say about how wonderful she was. My thoughts are with you all. Love, SarahMichael & Mary Anderson
salamanca, ny Wednesday, January 30, 2008 The world lost a sweetheart when we lost Ruth. She was such a sweet lady. Now she can sweeten Heaven with her loving spirit. The entire family is in our thoughts & prayers. God Bless you all. M&M AndersonJulie Nelson
Omaha, NE Wednesday, January 30, 2008 I am very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.Theresa Ramirez
Norfolk, NE Tuesday, January 29, 2008 My thoughts and prayers are with Ruth's family. She was such a very special person and I always looked forward to seeing her when my Job Corps work took me to the Fremont Workforce Development office. She could brighten my day with her smile, her care, and her wisdom. She gave me guidance from the heart when talking to her about my mom and Alzheimer's and gave me the courage and the desire to care of my mom as she had cared for her husband. She was, and will continue to be, a wonderful inspiration to me. May God's comforting arms surround your family in this time of grief.Roxanne Botic
Fremont, NE Tuesday, January 29, 2008 My symphathy to your family. Mandy has spoken so well of her Grandmother and I can only imagine how special she was as Mandy is a blessing to all of her co-workers. My prayers are with your family. Roxanne BoticDave and Kathy Jaspersen
Oneida, KY Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Our thoughts and prayers are with the Elofson family. We know Ruth will be greatly missed. She was such a sweet lady...always friendly and kind. May our Lord give you comfort at this sad time. God bless, Dave and Kathy JaspersenTerri Walters
St. Louis, MO Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Aunt Ruth will truly be missed. I am so glad that I was able to spend some time with her this summer at Granny’s sale. It was such a comfort having her there during a very difficult time. She was an amazing woman, so strong and always fun to be around. I remember visiting her in Wayne when I was younger. I always thought her home was like a museum, so many things around and I wondered about the story behind them all. I am so sad that she is gone but I will cherish the memories I have and will always smile when I think of her. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. We love you all! Terri and Jim Walters and FamilySusan and Jennifer Hartmann
North Bend, Ne Tuesday, January 29, 2008 You are in our thoughts and prayers.Katie Wrede
O'Neill, NE Monday, January 28, 2008 Aunt Ruth was always such a special person to me. She was very caring. The last time I got to be around her was at my grandmothers sale. She was such a comfort to us at that difficult time. I loved hearing her tell the story of how she met Mel. What a wonderful story. I am so happy I was there to hear it. My prayers are with you all. Love, Katie WredeStephanie and Nicole Welch
Reno, NV Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Our thoughts are with the Elofsen family. Ruth will be missed by all those who met and spent time with her. Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to the Elofsen family. Deepest Regards, Stephanie and NIcole WelchKathy Rasmussen
Fremont, NE Tuesday, January 29, 2008 I knew Ruth when I worked at the Travelure Co many years ago. I remember what a pleasure it was to see her coming in the door. She was a wonderful, sweet, upbeat woman who seemed to take lemons and make lemonade on a regular basis. She never complained. Now she and Mel are together without sickness. God Bless Ruth and her family.Bradley Hughes
Norfolk, NE Monday, January 28, 2008 When I awoke Sunday morning..... Aunt Ruth was on my mind all morning. I am an early riser and when Teri woke up two hours later she said to me first thing "I think we should go visit Aunt Ruth today" I shared with Teri that I had thought of Aunt Ruth all morning and that we both had the same thought upon awaking... I said... "well we better go then." We had such a nice time remembering Aunt Ruth and all the wonderful times and the difficult times that have been overcome with dignity. We also spent time with Aunt Ruth's boys, some family friends and Ruth's Granddaughter Mandy. On our way home I was grateful that God had given me and my family the opportunity and inspiration to visit Aunt Ruth one last time...... So you see....... God had put Aunt Ruth in our minds that morning for a reason. That Aunt Ruth passed a short while after our visit that evening.... these thoughts of Aunt Ruth were clearly a final calling from God to see her. What a gift! I am so grateful we listened and shared her last day with her and her very dedicated and loving children she always has been proud of. God Bless each of you, Brad and Teri Hughes and Family