1929
Ruth
2014
Ruth Marilyn Lawler
March 21, 1929 — March 5, 2014
On March 5th, Rochester lost a redheaded force of nature.
Ruth Marilyn Hermann was born Mar. 21, 1929 on the family farm near South Troy, MN, to Alfred William and Ethel Mae (Pencille) Hermann. At Rochester High School she played cello in the city orchestra and she won first prize in the "Designing Christmas Decorations" contest for the City of Rochester. She worked part time as a nurse's aid at the Colonial Hospital and after graduating in 1947 she worked in the x-ray department of the Mayo Clinic.
On October 14, 1950, she married Walter E. Lawler, with whom she had four children. The couple traveled around during the winter, living in Guthrie and Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as Lake Charles and Shreveport, Louisiana. In the summer Ruthey worked at the Green Parrot Restaurant in Rochester as a waitress. On August 19, 1952, Ruthey was named "Queen of the Stocks" at the Olmsted County Fair. She worked as a waitress at the New Town House and Michael's restaurants, later returning to Mayo Clinic. After leaving the Clinic once again, Ruthey began dressmaking in her home, and made wedding dresses for Marietta and Rita Mayo. Her accolades as a seamstress included winning first place in the adult division of the "Make-It-Yourself-Wool" contest at Donaldson's and third place in the same competition at the state level. Ruthey began renovating and redecorating homes to eventually sell them, which she did twenty-one times in her lifetime. In 1962, Ruthey had a garage sale, which went so well that she continued to buy, refinish, and sell antique furniture, which she continued to do until her death. In the same year Ruthey also began working at Modern Paint and Carpet, where she worked until 1978. After over two decades of marriage, Ruthey and Wally were divorced. On September 16th, 1974 she married Ed Beckman. Their marriage lasted only one year. While living in a townhouse at Westminster Square she started her own business, "The Magic Wand," which she ran until 1978. Ruthey worked as an interior decorator around Rochester while raising her four children. Ruthey continued to refinish furniture and sell it at her famous garage sales, which she had every summer until her death.
Ruthey was full of life and beloved by many in Rochester. She was a passionate supporter of the DFL, which was evident by the number of campaign signs that appeared in her yard every election season. In the summer she could be found outside her garage refinishing furniture and socializing with all who stopped by her frequent "estate" sales. She loved going to the Gold Rush in Oronoco and the flea markets in Rochester, always looking for the next good find. "Making something out of nothing," as she would say. The find was fun but it was the people that really made it special.
Ruthey died peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by the love of her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include three daughters; Tonia Mary Buringa, Lori Mara (Robert) Cranston, and Jody Marie (Joseph Brennan) Lawler, all of Rochester; her son Casey Martin (Royce) Lawler of Minneapolis; six grandchildren, Jacqueline, Shannon, Ryan, Connor, Daniel, and Julia; and three sisters, Catherine (Russell) Friese, Lucille (Ray) Reinalda, and Lorraine Deedrick, all of Rochester. She was preceded in death by her sister Marion, and her brother Glen.
The funeral mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Church of St. John the Evangelist with Father John Lasuba officiating. Ruthey's body will be donated to the Mayo Foundation for Research following the funeral. Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Mahn Family Funeral Home - Rochester Chapel, and one hour before the service at the church.
Memorials are suggested to the American Stroke Association. Friends may share a memory at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.
1624 37th Street. NW
Rochester, MN 55901
11 4th Ave. SW
Rochester, MN
11 4th Ave. SW
Rochester, MN
Ruth Marilyn Hermann was born Mar. 21, 1929 on the family farm near South Troy, MN, to Alfred William and Ethel Mae (Pencille) Hermann. At Rochester High School she played cello in the city orchestra and she won first prize in the "Designing Christmas Decorations" contest for the City of Rochester. She worked part time as a nurse's aid at the Colonial Hospital and after graduating in 1947 she worked in the x-ray department of the Mayo Clinic.
On October 14, 1950, she married Walter E. Lawler, with whom she had four children. The couple traveled around during the winter, living in Guthrie and Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as Lake Charles and Shreveport, Louisiana. In the summer Ruthey worked at the Green Parrot Restaurant in Rochester as a waitress. On August 19, 1952, Ruthey was named "Queen of the Stocks" at the Olmsted County Fair. She worked as a waitress at the New Town House and Michael's restaurants, later returning to Mayo Clinic. After leaving the Clinic once again, Ruthey began dressmaking in her home, and made wedding dresses for Marietta and Rita Mayo. Her accolades as a seamstress included winning first place in the adult division of the "Make-It-Yourself-Wool" contest at Donaldson's and third place in the same competition at the state level. Ruthey began renovating and redecorating homes to eventually sell them, which she did twenty-one times in her lifetime. In 1962, Ruthey had a garage sale, which went so well that she continued to buy, refinish, and sell antique furniture, which she continued to do until her death. In the same year Ruthey also began working at Modern Paint and Carpet, where she worked until 1978. After over two decades of marriage, Ruthey and Wally were divorced. On September 16th, 1974 she married Ed Beckman. Their marriage lasted only one year. While living in a townhouse at Westminster Square she started her own business, "The Magic Wand," which she ran until 1978. Ruthey worked as an interior decorator around Rochester while raising her four children. Ruthey continued to refinish furniture and sell it at her famous garage sales, which she had every summer until her death.
Ruthey was full of life and beloved by many in Rochester. She was a passionate supporter of the DFL, which was evident by the number of campaign signs that appeared in her yard every election season. In the summer she could be found outside her garage refinishing furniture and socializing with all who stopped by her frequent "estate" sales. She loved going to the Gold Rush in Oronoco and the flea markets in Rochester, always looking for the next good find. "Making something out of nothing," as she would say. The find was fun but it was the people that really made it special.
Ruthey died peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by the love of her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include three daughters; Tonia Mary Buringa, Lori Mara (Robert) Cranston, and Jody Marie (Joseph Brennan) Lawler, all of Rochester; her son Casey Martin (Royce) Lawler of Minneapolis; six grandchildren, Jacqueline, Shannon, Ryan, Connor, Daniel, and Julia; and three sisters, Catherine (Russell) Friese, Lucille (Ray) Reinalda, and Lorraine Deedrick, all of Rochester. She was preceded in death by her sister Marion, and her brother Glen.
The funeral mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Church of St. John the Evangelist with Father John Lasuba officiating. Ruthey's body will be donated to the Mayo Foundation for Research following the funeral. Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Mahn Family Funeral Home - Rochester Chapel, and one hour before the service at the church.
Memorials are suggested to the American Stroke Association. Friends may share a memory at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Visitation
MAR 9. 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (CDT)
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Rochester Chapel1624 37th Street. NW
Rochester, MN 55901
Visitation
MAR 10. 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (CDT)
St. John The Evangelist11 4th Ave. SW
Rochester, MN
Service
MAR 10. 10:30 AM (CDT)
St. John The Evangelist11 4th Ave. SW
Rochester, MN
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth Marilyn Lawler, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Photo Gallery
Visits: 8
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors