Ruth Small, 85, died the evening of February 18 ^th , 2013 of natural causes after several months of skilled nursing care at Madonna Towers in Rochester, MN.

Ruth Estelle Trubl was born September 4, 1927, to Charles and Stella (Briska) Trubl in Winona, MN. After graduating from Winona Senior High, she attended Winona Secretarial School. She traveled by train to work for Mayo Clinic at the Plummer Building in the pediatrics department. While attending dances at the Winona Armory, Ruth met Cletus. They were united in marriage November 22, 1952, having the first wedding in the newly remodeled Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. Ruth and Cletus began raising a family on the Small family farm near St. Charles, then relocating to Rochester in 1968.

Ruth returned to formal employment as a secretary for the State of MN Department of Civil Defense, which in later years was renamed the Department of Emergency Management. During that time she was active with St. Francis of Assisi Parish, the St. Rafael's Group, and volunteering for the American Red Cross passing on messages from military service members stationed overseas. She was a professed member 3 ^rd Order Franciscan. Ruth retired from the Department of Emergency Management in 1991.

Ruth enjoyed trips to the Mississippi. As a child, she spent family time at her father's cabin on the River in West Newton, MN. Now with her own family, many memories were made at her brother's boathouse near Buffalo, WI, where her children learned to swim, fish and the art of rowing a boat. Ruth also enjoyed flower gardening, growing houseplants, bicycling, swimming, sewing, tracing family genealogy, listening to music, playing the accordion and keyboard, creating photo albums, writing journals, both working at and playing bingo, and visiting with family and friends.

Ruth is preceded in death by her maternal parents, brother Charles Jr., (2) brothers-in law, and (2) sisters-in law. Surviving relatives are her husband Cletus, (1) daughter Mary (Tom) Dawson of Rochester, (2) sons Tom (Teresa) Small of Hayfield, Jim Small, (2) granddaughters Heather (Pat) Walsh, Tiffany Dawson, (1) great grandson Murphy Walsh all of Rochester, (1) sister-in law Ruby Brand of Richfield, MN, and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be held at Madonna Towers Chapel, 4001 19 ^th Ave. NW, Rochester at 11:00a.m., Friday, February 22, 2013 officiated by Rev. James Russell. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. The graveside service will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.