Ruth Meyer

Ruth Helen (Kruger) Meyer passed away at Hilltop Nursing Home in Watkins, MN on July 3, 2018. She was born on August 16, 1938 in Grandin, ND to Albert and Iola Kruger.  She and her six siblings lived in Moorhead near the Red River until the time of their parent’s death when she was 12. She also spent time during her elementary years in Frazee with extended family. Ruth moved to Barnesville and was raised by her Aunt Lu and Uncle Paul McGrath until her graduation from Barnesville High School in 1957. She married Richard (Dick) Meyer on May 31, 1958, and they lived near his family’s dairy farm east of Barnesville taking over the operation and moving to the homestead shortly after.  They farmed together there for nearly 40 years and raised their five children leaving them and their families with many fond memories of the “Funny Farm” and a strong work ethic. During that time, Ruth cooked thousands of hearty meals, helped with the calves, and tended to countless details to keep the farm and family running. 

Outside of the farm, she worked for a short time at St. John’s Hospital in Moorhead, the Barnesville Nursing Home, and was a cook and dishwasher at Atkinson Elementary from 1995 to 2009. She is a member of St. James United Church of Christ where she was active in the ladies circle and quilting for many years.  She was a regular at the Barnesville Bakery for coffee, rolls, conversation and laughter and enjoyed time with the “Bag Ladies” at church. She loved driving to Moorhead to spend time with her siblings and extended family. Playing cards, trips to the casino, folding laundry, cooking and baking with loads of butter, watching TV, word search puzzles, and spending time with her grandkids were some of the simple pleasures in her life.

Her feisty and blunt personality made her memorable to many, and she was responsible for starting many fits of laughter.  Dementia took her short term memory a few years ago.  She moved from the farm to Barnesville Senior Living in 2015. She lived with Shawn and his family for a short time in 2017 before health issues forced her to reside at Hilltop Nursing Home in Watkins until the time of her death. Her grandchildren adored her and love to recall good times with their Granny Ruth and would do anything for one more pan of her famous Special K bars.  She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sisters Rose Gunderson and Mary Lou Rheault, her brothers Earl and Donny Kruger, her brother-in-law Ed Rheault, sister in law Laurel Kruger, and her aunt and uncle Lu and Paul McGrath.

She is survived by her children: Wanda Meyer of Fargo, Dawn (Joel) Anderson of Barnesville, Todd (Sandy) Meyer of Barnesville, Lori (Wayne) Cook of Barnesville, and Shawn (Laura) Meyer of rural Kimball.  Her grandchildren: Derek (Tammy) Anderson, Joshua (Elizabeth) Anderson, Jacob (Breanna) Anderson, Shayna (King) Anderson, Garrett Anderson, Jasmine Meyer, Kaitlin Meyer, Jackson Meyer, Spencer (Majken) Cook, Jordana Cook, Ace Meyer, Hank Meyer, and Bo Meyer.  Her great-grandchildren: Tyson, Easton, Addison, Cadence, Samara, Rosalynn, Mazey, Tynslee, Lexi, Londyn, and Juliyan.  Her brother Gus Kruger of Redmond, Washington, sister Dorothy Eggiman of Moorhead, and brother-in-law Tom (Mary) Meyer of Pine City. She is also survived by several beloved nieces and nephews and many friends.  

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 7, 2018 at St. James United Church of Christ Church in Barnesville, MN with Rev. Frank Picard officiating.    

Visitation will be 5-8 PM, Friday, July 6, 2018 at Dobmeier Funeral Home in Barnesville, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. 

Ruth’s family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the staff of Hilltop Nursing Home for the exceptional care she received while she resided there.  God bless the memory of Ruth. 

Ruth's Memorial Folder