Ruth Loraine Hilleren

Ruth Loraine Hilleren, age 91, of Red Wing, died Thursday, September 24, 2015 at her home at Deer Crest. She was born on December 20, 1923 in Red Wing to Martin and Hilda (Sholing) Hanson. She graduated from Red Wing High School in 1942 and married Norman Hilleren on April 16, 1944 in Kansas City, KS. The couple lived in South Minneapolis and Edina before returning to the Red Wing area. Ruth went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota nursing school. She and Norman opened the River Falls Nursing Home in 1959 and the Red Wing Health Center in 1965. Ruth managed the River Falls Care Center for most of her career, where she was known for her kindness to the residents and staff. During her time as administrator, the original mission expanded to include childcare and supervised living. She received her master's degree in nursing home administration in 1988. She and Norman were also members of the National Nursing Home Association. They spent many summers with their family at their cabin on Spirit Lake near Frederic, WI and also traveled all over the world. Ruth was an active member of First Lutheran Church including the bible study and sewing groups. She loved bridge, Scrabble, parties, gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Ruth is survived by her three daughters, Julie (Richard) Edstrom of Stillwater, Lori (Ike) Austin of Minneapolis, and Sue (Carl) Warren of River Falls, WI; three sons, Ned (Karen) Hilleren of Maiden Rock, WI, David (Tracy) Hilleren of Orlando, FL, and Peter Hilleren of Red Wing; 14 grandchildren, Amy (Jerry) Lengsfeld, Bill Arnold, Andrew Austin, Brett (Amy) Edstrom, Lane (Jesse) Edstrom, Matt Edstrom, Heather (Phil Aucutt) Hilleren, Jennifer Simonson, Kristina (Darwin) Novek, Sarah (Neil Fasen) Warren, Noah Warren, Nolan Hilleren, Carter Hilleren, and Tessa Hilleren; nine great-grandchildren, Loren Simonson, Matea Simonson, Ethan Simonson, Jerry Lengsfeld, Jr., Daniel Lengsfeld, Mary Lengsfeld, Amanda Edstrom, Nora Novek, and Oliver Novek; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman; one granddaughter; parents, Martin and Hilda Hanson; four sisters, Florence, Ida, Lillian, and Doris; and brother, Leonard.
Funeral service will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 4, 2015 at First Lutheran Church (615 W 5th St, Red Wing, MN 55066) with Reverend Arthur Sharot officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. A private family burial will be held at Oakwood Cemetery at a later date. Memorials are preferred to the First Lutheran Church, Mayo Red Wing Hospice, or the donor's choice. Arrangements are by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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Visitation

OCT 4. 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (CDT)

First Lutheran Church-Red Wing
615 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066

Service

OCT 4. 3:00 PM (CDT)

First Lutheran Church-Red Wing
615 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066