Ruth Elizabeth Lende
7/12/1930 – 12/9/2023

Our beloved mother passed away from a sudden illness at the age of 93. Ruth was born to Erwin and Ruth Steffen on July 12, 1930 at the farm in Griggs County, North Dakota. Sadly, Ruth’s mother passed away in childbirth. When Ruth was born, she had 2 older siblings, Roger and Margie.

In 1935 Erwin wrote, in time of trial, left alone with 3 small children, to keep them together, I received assistance from Clara Anderson, who kept house for a while and later on Mrs. Emma Thorn, both were wonderful and mothered the three children as their own. Mrs. Thorn became ill and had to quit. A neighbor boy Bernard Clark came to Erwin and said, “I believe I know a girl you can get that is really good for keeping house for you, Lillian Beattie.” Since Erwin didn’t know Lillian, he asked Bernard to go with him to ask her about the position. On the way over to meet Lillian, Bernard gave Lil a boost and said “you know Lillian can sure make good soup”. Lillian’s father was quite a horseman and as Erwin arrived with his team of horses to meet Lillian and get approval from Lillian’s father, her father inspected the team and decided it was okay for Lillian to go stick it out for a while with Erwin. In those days, it wasn’t for the money that they were doing kind deeds but because they wanted to do the right things that were good. How could anyone keep house for $2 or $3 a week? Which was all they received for taking care of someone else’s family. Lillian stayed. Erwin and Lillian were married June 16, 1935, later came Kay and Connie, Connie was the only child born in the hospital.

Ruth, along with her two older siblings Roger and Margie, rode horseback to a one classroom school, where they were able to keep the horse in a nearby barn until school was out. Ruth later attended Oak Grove Seminary Lutheran High School in Fargo North Dakota and was awarded a diploma on May 27, 1948. Ruth became a caregiver at Cooperstown Hospital and then later met Carroll Lende. Carroll and Ruth were married September 7, 1952, in Cooperstown, North Dakota. Ruth and Carroll lost a child, Carroll Eugene after birth. They moved to Fortuna in June of 1967. They purchased their first care home, Bethel Care. Ruth was active and working until December 2023. 93 YEARS STRONG!!!

Ruth loved Jesus first, loved going to the beach, looking for sand dollars and especially rocks. She had a love of rocks because her father was a rock tumbler. She loved jigsaw puzzles, word finds and visiting with family and friends. She loved reminiscing of her life history, but most of all she loved her family.

Ruth is preceded in death by her infant son Carroll, her parents Erwin and Lillian, her older siblings Roger and Margie, her husband Carroll, her great grandson Ocean Immanuel, great granddaughter Elaire Joycelyn, and 2 grand dogs Bella and Fender.

Ruth is survived by 4 children, Cindy (Jeff) Pearce, Kent (Suzanne) Lende, Jovone Lende, Lowell (Lorie) Lende, 7 grandchildren, Ryan Lende, Anika (David) Reynoza, Nick (Stephanie) Lende, Nathan (Mikkel) Pearce, Josh Pearce, Cameron (Kelly) Lende, Brandon (Chelsea) Lende, 22 great grandchildren, Sadie Lende, Madison Lende, Logan Lende, Hannah Lende, Trenton Wahl, Hunter Wahl, Aidan Lende, Coda Lende, Téadora Lende, Dillon Lende, Jericho Lende, Lyric Lende, Dominic Lende, Selah Lende, Paisley Lende, Milo Lende, Benjamin Lende, Natalie Pearce, Mya Pearce, Chase Pearce, Andrew Lende, Juniper Lende, and 1 great great grandchild, Nyah Allayn Lende.

Ruth is retired now! New address, “Heaven.”

In lieu of flowers a memorial can be made to Saron Church, 11571 County Road 22, Cooperstown, ND 58425.

The viewing is Tuesday, December 19 from 4:00 pm-8:00 pm.

The service will be held Wednesday, December 20 at 10:00 a.m.

Both will be held at Sanders Funeral Home, Eureka.

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