Ruth Ann Deitz

ruth ann deitz
Ruth Ann Kobe Deitz, 82, passed away peacefully at Lilac Homes in Moorhead on June 27 with family at her side. Ruth was born on December 28, 1934 in Grand Forks (an identical twin to her "older" sister, Alice Mae.) She spent most of her youth in the town of Ardoch, a small town northwest of Grand Forks. After graduating from St. Joseph's Academy in Crookston, Minnesota in 1952, she started nurses training at the Sisters of St. Joseph School of Nursing in Grand Forks, North Dakota, then transferred to St. John's Hospital in Fargo. She spent most of her three years of training there. She then went to St. Joseph's Hospital in Grafton where she worked for a year. She married LeRoy J. Deitz on October 20, 1956 in Ardoch. They made their home and started their family in Grand Forks. She continued her nursing work at St Michaels Hospital and then at Grand Forks Clinic for the orthopedic doctors. This kept her busy along with raising five children and their activities. In March 1970, the family relocated to Fargo and she went to work at the Fargo Clinic in Orthopedics. In 1991, LeRoy and Ruth moved to scenic Little McDonald Lake in Minnesota (near Detroit Lakes). Ruth retired from nursing in May 1995 after forty years of selfless dedication and service. Ruth had many interests and hobbies. Ruth loved to sight-see and travel, whether it was visiting family in Texas or Colorado, or more adventurous destinations like Hawaii and New York. She also enjoyed camping. After 24+ years of camping with their children, she and Roy completed a long time dream. In 1991, they built their retirement dream home on Little McDonald Lake. There she spent her time gardening, baking, visiting with neighbors, fishing with Roy and she especially enjoyed preparing for any upcoming visits from her children, grandchildren, relatives and/or friends. At Ruth’s place all were welcome with open arms, at any time. She continued to live at the lake after Roy’s death in 2003, and resided in her Little McDonald home until September, 2008, when she moved to Fargo to be closer to family. Ruth was a devoted wife and mother. She took an interest in anything that was of interest to LeRoy, her children or grandchildren and loved attending any of their activities. Ruth’s interests and hobbies also included knitting and quilting. She and her twin sister Alice were avid quilters, who made all their quilts by hand the old school way. Ruth made at least one quilt for all of her children and grandchildren. She continued her quilting until about 2010 when her dementia would not allow her to continue. Ruth was also a big Fighting Sioux hockey fan. Roy and her were season tickets holders for several years and they routinely made the trek to Grand Forks for the regular Friday/Saturday games throughout the hockey season. Ruth also was very active in her church and was very strong in her religious conviction. For Ruth, faith was not a part-time activity, or something to do once a week on Sundays and then forgotten about. Ruth believed in and lived the Greatest Commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “love your neighbor as yourself.” Ruth was welcoming, kind, and selfless beyond words with all people in all situations. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents (Aloysius Kobe and Carrie Hansen Kobe), three brothers (Thelmer, Ervin, and Fred Kobe), two sisters (Florence Kobe and Alice Grigel), and her beloved husband LeRoy. She is survived by her children: David (Christie) Deitz, Austin TX, Kevin (Brenda) Deitz, Fargo ND, Linda Peterson, Bossier City LA, Kenneth (Jill) Deitz, Argusville ND, and Karen (Shawn) Rife, Monument CO. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Greg (Phyllis) Deitz, Jenny (Matt) Schmidt, Chris Deitz, Pat (Katelyn) Deitz, Joe Deitz, Nathan and Samuel Rife; and by six great-grandchildren: Chloe, Emma, and Everett Deitz, McKenna and Rylee Schmidt, and Nora Deitz; by her brothers: Raymond (Liz) Kobe and James (Toddy) Kobe; and by her sister Mary Green. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley (www.hrrv.org), 1701 38th St S #101, Fargo, ND 58103. FUNERAL MASS: 10 AM Monday, July 3, 2017 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fargo PRAYER SERVICE: 6:30 PM Sunday at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo VISITATION: 5:30 to 6:30 PM Sunday at Boulger Funeral Home and also one hour prior to the service in the church on Monday BURIAL: Holy Cross North Cemetery in Fargo

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  1. Ruth was a special lady that will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

  2. Kevin,
    I’m sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. It’s one of the hardest things you’ll go through in life. I remember your folks quite well, cheering you on during your Fargo North hockey days. My condolences to you and your family.

  3. I got to know Ruth when she was in orthopedics at the clinic and I worked as an RN on the ortho floor at the hospital. It was always a treat to get to go to the clinic and visit with her. She had a great smile and was a nurse that I looked up to. She and Lorraine Hagen were quite the couple, dealing with the orthopedic docs and you could feel the teamwork when you saw them at work! My sincere sympathy to her family at this time.

  4. You are in our prayers for the days ahead. Aunt Ruth was a precious lady and I know y’all will miss her.
    Even thought I lost contact with her, I thought about her often and the precious times we had when our families visited.
    Ned and Dolores Hughes
    Watkinsville GA

  5. I send my sympathy and promise of prayers to the family of Ruth Deitz from myself and from the Sisters of St. Joseph in Crookston. The death of a mother and grandmother is so significant because as long as she lives among you, you know where home is. Our consolation rests with our faith in knowing that Ruth lives now in her eternal home embraced by our loving God.

    My personal memories of Ruth (and Alice) go back to high school days at SJA in Crookston during the 50s. The 3 of us wore the same shoe size and during the winter I could count on borrowing ice skates from both of them. Their generosity was very appreciated.

    I also remember that many students couldn’t tell Ruth and Alice apart but I always could. Seeing Ruth’s photograph with her obituary brought back the SJA memories. May she rest in peace.

  6. My sympathy and prayers are offered to Ruth’s family. Although it has been many years since I last saw Aunt Ruth, I have fond memories of spending summers in Ardoch with Grandma, Grandpa and “the twins”.

  7. Was so sorry to hear about Aunt Ruth passing on. Tried to send her cards but they were returned. You will miss her especially during the holidays but when Joe died I found out remembering the good times made it a little easier during this time. Will miss her even though I live down in GA but I still think about her alot. If you guys are ever in GA stop by and we’ll catch up on lost time. Love you guys Margaret Hughes Chancey


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