Florence Ruether

Florence Gertrude Ruether, 94, of Red Wing, died Thursday, October 13, 2011 at the Red Wing Health Center where she had resided the past three months. She was born July 1, 1917 in Gilford Township, Minnesota to Wendelen and Margaret (Miesen) Krismer. Florence was baptized at St. Patrick's Church in West Albany, Minnesota. When she was four years old she moved with her parents to Pierce County in rural Maiden Rock, Wisconsin. She attended Herbison School and St. John the Baptist Catholic School, Plum City. She graduated from Ellsworth High School and from the University of Wisconsin River Falls. After teaching school for eight years in Pierce County, Wisconsin, she was united in marriage to Kenneth J. Ruether on June 8, 1948 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Clayfield, Wisconsin and they made their home in Red Wing. He died December 9, 1989. She most recently lived at the Downtown Plaza and then at the Seminary Home. She was a member of the Church of St. Joseph, holding several offices in Church of St. Joseph's CCW and was on the S.E. Deanery Board for many years. Florence was a volunteer leader in the Burnside 4-H Club for more than 20 years, She was an active member of the Burnside Community Neighborhood Club, a member of MCCL, served as an election judge, and was a member of the North Stars Homemaker and Home Council. Through her years she enjoyed gardening and playing cards and games with grandchildren, friends and family.

Florence is survived by her children, Joseph Ruether of Hastings, Mary (Lamont) Bergevin of Thunder Bay, Ontario, David (Debra) Ruether of Dubuque, Iowa, Gerald (Cynthia) Ruether of Red Wing and Mark (Michelle) Ruether of Rockledge, Florida; 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth; an infant son; two sisters, Sister Marie Krismer and Cornelia Briguet and a brother Robert Krismer.

Mass of the Resurrection will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, at the Church of St. Joseph with Father Thomas M. Kommers presiding. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. with a Rosary service at 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, 2011, at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and for one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials preferred to St. Bernard's Catholic School, 300 Church St., Cologne, Minnesota 55322.