Ruth Anna Thom

Ruth Anna (Norgren) Thom, 94, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Wednesday August 9, 2017, at the Broen Home in Fergus Falls, MN.

She was born on November 28, 1922, to Elof and Anna (Scheffler) Norgren of Elizabeth, MN. Second oldest daughter of nine, she was the one to help dad outside, because mom needed the oldest daughter to help her with the little ones.

On November 1, 1944, Ruth married Herbert W. Thom at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elizabeth. Their first home was in Elizabeth where they both worked at the creamery. With the war and so many men away, Herb returned to farming. That started a series of many moves to different farms until they purchased their own farm in 1958. Ruth worked beside Herb in the dairy barn and in the fields through all the moves. The couple also raised two daughters.

After Herb passed away in February, 1973, Ruth continued working at the Pelican Rapids Turkey Plant that she started at in 1965. She remained on the farm by herself until she purchased a home in Fergus Falls that August. She worked part-time at the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center until 1974, then she started full-time in the laundry at the State Hospital. She worked there until her retirement in 1986. In 1980, she purchased a larger home and stated, “Hope it’s my last move, God only knows.” That was the tenth move for Ruth since leaving her parent’s house. She went on to live at Page House and River Bend Apartments before moving to the Broen Home in the fall of 2015. Now she is home with Jesus.

Ruth was a great wife, mother, and grandmother. She was an excellent bread baker and flower and vegetable gardener. She did lots of canning, cooking and baking. She and Herb loved to dance and she was a good whist player. She learned to drive a car after her husband passed away and went on to create an independent lifestyle surrounded by family and friends. Ruth was a very hard worker and very family orientated.

She was a member of Central Lutheran Church of Pelican Rapids, as well as the Ladies Aide. She participated in the retired state employees group and missed the people when she stopped attending.

Ruth was an Avon lady for a time and hosted many rummage sales at her house for family and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Herbert; a brother, Kermit Norgren; three sisters, Fern Stras, LaVerne Johnson, Mae Haugen; five brothers-in-law; a son-in-law, DuWayne Honrud; as well as some nieces and nephews.

Survivors include her daughters; Beverly Honrud of Fergus Falls, and Cora (Bruce) Nelson of Fergus Falls; four grandchildren, Greg (Darcie) Honrud of Rothsay, Brian (Lutia) Honrud of Stacy, Crystal Nelson of Fargo, ND, Brent Nelson of Fergus Falls; four great-grandchildren and three step great-grandchildren. She is survived by three sisters, Eleanora Holt of Fergus Falls, Joyce Thom of Detroit Lakes, Janice (Charles) Vangsness of Goodhue; one brother, Elof “Sonny” Norgren of Elizabeth; and two sisters-in-law, Diana Norgren, and Thyra Thom both of Fergus Falls. Also surviving are several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Blessed be the memory of Ruth A. Thom (Gramma T.)

Visitation: 5-7PM, Tuesday August 15, 2017, at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls,
with a public prayer service at 7:00PM, and resuming one hour prior to the
service at the church
Service: 2:00 PM Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at Central Lutheran Church in Pelican
Rapids
Clergy: Reverend Phil Tobin
Interment: Central Lutheran Cemetery in Pelican Rapids
Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls

Condolences may be sent online at www.OlsonFuneralHome.com