Ruth Elizabeth Govig

Ruth Elizabeth Tanner Govig, 85, died Saturday, May 16, 2015 in Fargo, ND.

She was born on March 14, 1930, at St. Lukes Hospital in Fargo, ND, to Agnar S. and Magda (Thorkildson) Tanner. She was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen, MN by her father. Ruth was the third in what would eventually be a family of four daughters.

She attended school in Iola, Wisconsin, Madison, SD and Eau Claire, WI, where she graduated from high school. Ruth graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, after which she taught American history in Powell High School, Powell, WY. In 1954, she was married to Bruce O. Govig at St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church, St. Paul, MN by her father. To this marriage two children were born, Sarah and Paul.

Ruth returned to teaching when the family moved to Tracy, MN, but this time in the field of English in the neighboring town of Balaton, MN. Later after a move to Benson, MN, Ruth taught for 22 years at KMS High School (Kerkhoven, Murdock, Sunburg), Kerkhoven, MN. While in Benson, Bruce and Ruth bought a farm in Six Mile Grove Township where they lived for 15 years and which they enjoyed greatly.

At the age of six months, Ruth made her first trip to Otter Tail Lake to visit her paternal grandfather, Jacob Tanner, who had a cottage there. Every summer thereafter Ruth spent time at Otter Tail where she learned to love the out-of-doors and where she learned to know the love of her grandfather. Eventually Bruce and Ruth bought their own cottage at “the lake” and summers at Otter Tail became a staple for their family too. After retirement, Bruce and Ruth moved to Redding, CA to be near their daughter, but summers took them back to Otter Tail where Bruce died in the Spring of 2002. Two years later, Ruth moved to Bismarck to be near her son and closer to Otter Tail Lake.

Ruth was a woman of strong opinions, relished a spirited political discussion and was usually involved in political campaigns. Because of her love for American history she enjoyed biographies of significant Americans; chief among them was Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt. She liked animals, especially dogs, but she was partial to Scotties, two of which were constant companions, Maggie first and then Tibbie. She was a lifelong learner with a keen interest in history and politics, interests passed on to her by her father.

Ruth is survived by her children, Sarah Govig of Portland, OR, and Paul Govig (Julie Krenz) of Bismarck, ND; four grandchildren, Tanner Govig, Bruce Govig, Ann Govig and Kaarin Mitchell; two sisters, Doris Tanner of Fergus Falls and Alice Govig of Tacoma, WA; and one brother-in-law, Lauren Egdahl of Walnut Creek, CA.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Bruce; her parents and a sister, Mary Tanner Egdahl.

Visitation: one hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 11 a.m. Friday, May 22, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church in Amor
Clergy: Revs. James Gronbeck and Darrell Vetter
Interment: Zion Amor Cemetery
Arrangements by Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls