Ruth Landfield

Ruth G. Landfield, 87, died on December 3, 2005 in her home in Fargo. Ruth was well known in the city for the vital and philanthropic roles she played for more than half a century in the cultural, artistic, educational and religious life of the Fargo community. She believed that the arts should be accessible to everyone and worked tirelessly for numerous arts organizations in town. The eldest of four children of Anne (Paletz) and Max Goldberg, who settled in the city in 1905, Ruth attended Fargo public schools through her 1936 graduation from Fargo Central High School. She continued her education at Radcliffe College, graduating in 1940 with a BA in psychology. The following fall, on a visit to her sister in Chicago, she was introduced to her future husband, Seymour Landfield. They were married in August of 1941 and enjoyed 49 years together. Seymour served in World War II at the Santa Ana, CA Army Air Corps base, where Ruth began working on the base developing and administering psychological tests. Ruth returned to Fargo with Seymour and two daughters in 1949, where she lived for the rest of her life. Their two sons were born in Fargo. Seymour and Ruth established Midwest Printing and Lithographing Company. A full-time homemaker, Ruth began working for her father at Goldberg Seed and Feed Co. (later Red River Grain Co.) and Goldberg Angus Farms. She was concerned with all aspects of these businesses, and proudly continued to be involved with them until her death. In addition to her numerous cultural and philanthropic activities, Ruth was a long-time member of Temple Beth El, where she served as the first woman president. She was a Life Member of Hadassah, serving as President of Fargo Hadassah and serving on its board for many years. She also served as a board member of numerous civic and educational organizations. Ruth is survived by her daughters, Mary Anne (Hugh) Winig, Lafayette, CA, Joan (Rob) Klivans, Waban, MA and her sons, James, McLean, VA and Frank, Idyllwild, CA and six grandchildren: Heidi, Adam and Benjamin Winig, David and Laura Klivans, and Melissa Landfield. Her American Field Service daughter, Janet (Michael) Neustein in Sydney, Australia and their children Rachel (Damien) and David have remained close to Ruth?s family. Ruth is also survived by her sisters, Betty Feder, Fargo, ND; Phyllis Klein, Wilsonville, OR; and brother Ray Goldberg, Cambridge, MA and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are preferred to Temple Beth El or a Fargo community arts organization of your choice. Her funeral will be at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at Temple Beth El, Fargo, Burial will be at Beth El Memorial Park, Fargo.