Martha Ruff

Martha Ruff, age 91, of Willmar, Minnesota, died Sunday, December 15, at Bethesda Grand Nursing Home in Willmar.

Memorial services will be held at a later date in Medina, North Dakota.

Martha Marie Ruff was born February 20, 1928, in Medina, North Dakota, the daughter of Emil and Elizabeth (Moser) Mayer.  She grew up and attended school in Stutsman County.  On August 5, 1947, she married Verner Ruff and they had four children together.   They lived in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area for a number of years and then moved to Pillager, Minnesota.  Martha later moved back to Medina, North Dakota, where she had the privilege of taking care of her parents until their deaths.  Later, she moved to Jamestown, North Dakota, and lived with her brother, Paul, until his death.  In 2010, she moved to Willmar, Minnesota and lived in her own apartment until the fall of 2015, when she moved into assisted living.  In December 2018, she moved into Bethesda Nursing Home, where she lived until her death.

Martha loved to sew and crochet, and made many quilts.  In recent years, it was becoming herder for her to do these things because she was losing her eyesight.

She is survived by three children: Pauline (and Leon) Carlson of Willmar, MN, LeRoy (and Debra) Ruff of St. Paul, MN, and Barbara Snetsinger of Elk River, MN; and a brother: Gene (and Ramona) Mayer.  Also surviving are eight grandsons: Kelly (and Deborah) Carlson, Christopher (and Michelle) Carlson, Joseph (and Laura) Ruff, Kenny Ruff, Mitchell Ruff, Leo Snetsinger (and Jennifer Smith), Donovan (and Lisa) Snetsinger, and Adam (and Jeanine) Ruff; a granddaughter: Christina (and Michael) McGarity; fifteen great-grandchildren: Courtney, Sydney & Kaitlyn Carlson, Maria, Shawn, & Tara Carlson, Tyler Ruff, Reese, Tanner & Devin Snetsinger, Aries & Tallis Ruff & Kayla, and Grant & Gaston McGarity; a great-great-grandson: Gavin; a great-great-granddaughter: Adrianna; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son: Milton; brothers: Paul (and Martha) Mayer, Willie (and Erma) Mayer, Eddie  (and Doris) Mayer; sister: Clara (and Ernie) Ranta; and her twin sister: Lorine (and Walter) Ruff.