Ruth Elaine (Holien) Strader, 86, of Fergus Falls, died Saturday June 15, 2013, while a patient at Abbott North Western Hospital, of Minneapolis.
The daughter of Oscar Alfred & Ida Dorothea (Holter) Holien, Ruth was born on July 7, 1926, in Moody County, South Dakota. She attended grade school at Hermanson Grade School #40, and graduated from High School in Jasper, MN in 1943. After high school, she attended Secretarial School in Dickinson ND and completed a two year Medical Secretary course from Sioux Falls, SD.
On April 6, 1947 she married Delbert “Jim” Strader in Jasper. The couple made their home in Fergus Falls, where she worked as a secretary for Ottertail Co-Op Oils, then Skogmo Motors. In 1951 she began working at what is now known as the Regional Treatment Center in the medical records department, retiring in 1986.
Ruthie was involved in many activities around the area. She was a member of the Fergus Falls Eagles Auxiliary and a charter member of the VFW Post 612 Auxiliary. In addition, she belonged to several VFW groups and enjoyed being a part of the Drill Team and the Heritage Group.
She was known for many things including her love of dancing, the Minnesota Twins and music. Ruth enjoyed being part of numerous musicals and singing for community events and for her church, Our Lady of Victory.
Preceding her in death were her husband Jim in 1990, a daughter Susan Tomhave in 2001, three brothers, Orvin, Roy, and Arthur, and two sisters, Idella and Dorothy.
Survivors include a daughter, Charlotte “Tinker” (Johnny Crawford) McKenna, of Burbank, CA; three grandchildren, Brenda & Ronnie Westenhaver of Dennison,Texas, Jamie & Woody Pierce of California, and Jake & Ruth Zwilling of Orono; and two great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Shelby. Also surviving is a brother, Arnold “Buddy” (Lois) Holien of Jasper, MN and a sister Lorraine (Jerome) Posey of Dell Rapids, SD, along with numerous nieces and nephews, and very special angels Virginia Robertson and Cyndy Nystrom.
Memorials are preferred to Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, or the Minnesota Veterans Home, Fergus Falls. Visitation: 1-3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Mass of Christian Burial: 11 a.m. Monday, June 24, 2013 at the Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 207 N. Vine Street, Fergus Falls MN. Clergy: Father Tim Wenzel and Father Bill Gamber. Interment: St. Otto’s Catholic Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN. Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN; www.olsonfuneralhome.com