Ruth Williams passed away in Rochester, MN on Saturday, August 1, 2020 at the age of 91 after a lengthy illness. Ruth was born at Mercy Hospital in Mason City, IA on June 17, 1929 to Arthur and Alma (Rye) Lund. She grew up in Northwood, IA and graduated High School in 1947. In 1949, she received her teaching degree from Iowa State Teachers College. She went to Waldorf College for one year, then finished her undergraduate degree in education at Mankato State University in 1954. From 1954 to 1957, she taught elementary education in Northfield, MN, then taught in Albert Lea, MN from 1957-1958. On August 7, 1958, she married Warren Williams at Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. She taught in Des Moines, IA from 1958-1961 while Warren was in Pharmacy School at Drake University. In October 1969, Warren bought Reeve's Drug in Rochester, MN and moved the family there. After her youngest son was born in 1971, Ruth taught a special education at St Francis Catholic School for two years. After that, she substituted both long and short term in the four K-8 Catholic Schools in Rochester for 31 years. Besides teaching, she helped raise three boys and worked at both Reeve's, then later Eagle Drug in Rochester. She was of her Norwegian heritage and went to many lutefisk dinners. She was never shy to explain to people the meaning of "Uff Dah" and "You Betcha".

She and her family went to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church since 1969 and she volunteered in many areas at the church over the years. At the age of twenty, she became ill with Chronic Ulcerative Colitis and was in St Marys Hospital in Rochester for several months in 1950-1951. After surviving that, she would wake up every day with a smile on her face and never took any day for granted.

She is survived by her husband Warren; three sons, Steven and Robert of Rochester and John (Jennifer) of Rochester; four grandchildren, Dru, Edin, Brita, and Piper; sister-in-law Dorothy Williams of Northwood, IA, and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents and a brother Herbert Lund of Albert Lea.

The funeral service will be in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Mike Zaske officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Rochester, Waldorf College, or to donor's choice. The family thanks Mayo Hospice for the care given Ruth the last three weeks of her life.

To leave a special memory or condolence, please visit www.mackenfuneralhome.com.