Ruth Lidtke, 90

Jan. 20, 1929 —

March 25, 2019

 

Lime Springs - Ruth Arlene Lidtke, age 90, of Lime Springs, Iowa passed away peacefully on Monday, March 25, 2019, at St. Marys Hospital, Rochester, Minn.

A private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Ruth was born on Jan. 20, 1929, on the family farm near LeRoy, Minn. She was baptized at Bethania Lutheran Church and confirmed at LeRoy Lutheran Church. She attended a country school and graduated from LeRoy High School in 1947.  

On Sept. 12, 1954, Ruth married Roy Lidtke at LeRoy Lutheran Church, and to this union they were blessed with three daughters. Together they farmed for 44 years. In 1989, they semi-retired and moved to the family home in Old Town by the river and family mill. They celebrated 64 years of marriage.

Ruth lived up to her Biblical name, being a faithful caregiver to her parents for many years. She had a passion for reading, writing letters, sewing and baking. No one left her home without a bag or two of homemade cookies. Her faith was strong. Her favorite Psalm was the 23rd, which she memorized in fourth grade. Ruth was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and a life-long member of the Ruth Circle. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years.  

Ruth’s greatest love was her family.  She felt blessed to have them so close and to gather so often. In later years she was able to enjoy family trips with her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Roy of Lime Springs; daughters, Janine (Paul) Knapp of Hudson, Iowa, Dawn (Derwin) Osmundson of West Union, Iowa and Ruth Ann (John) Sacquitne of Decorah, Iowa; six grandchildren, James (Kathryn) Knapp, Jennifer (Joshua) Knapp Severson, Dacia (fiancé Jason Tague) Osmundson, Daniel (Krista) Osmundson and Samuel and Sonja Sacquitne; seven great-grandchildren, Theodore and Ann Knapp, Fletcher, Sloan and Bergen Severson, Greysen Caya and Emerlyn Osmundson; three brothers, Kenneth Speer and Virgil (Mary) Speer of LeRoy and Dale Speer of Elgin, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elgar and Agnes Speer; brother, Victor; and sisters-in-law, Katherine Speer and Mayvis Speer.   

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be directed to the Lime Springs Lidtke Mill National Historical Site to purchase a park bench. Online condolences may be left at www.hindthudekfuneralhomes.com.