Ruth Polta

Ruth M. Polta, age 89, of Willmar, passed away Tuesday morning, Aug. 17, at Vista Prairie at Copperleaf.

A private family service will be held at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.  Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Ruth Marion Polta was born on March 20, 1932, in New Ulm, Minnesota, the daughter of Joseph and Ruth (Galstad) Groebner.  She grew up in New Ulm, was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith and graduated from New Ulm High School in 1949.  She attended the College of St. Benedict and graduated in 1953 with a degree in Education and Music.  Ruth began her career teaching English and Music in Rushford, Minnesota.  On June 25, 1955, in New Ulm, Minnesota, Ruth was united in marriage to Jacob John Polta and they shared 57 happy years together.  They lived in Minneapolis and Holdingford before moving to Willmar in 1960.   In the Fall of 1970, Ruth began teaching music in the Willmar Public School District, building the elementary orchestra program, until her retirement in 1992.

Ruth was an active member of the Church of St. Mary, serving as the choir director and church organist.  She was also an active member of the Willmar Community Orchestra, Willmar Musicale and Oblates of St. Benedict. She enjoyed listening to and playing music, reading, travelling with Jake, including their dream trips to Norway and Germany, and cooking great meals for family get-togethers - a tradition carried on by her children.

She is survived by five children, Mary Polta of Minnetonka, Anne Polta of Willmar, John (and Anne) Polta of Golden Valley, Catherine (and Mark) Winkelhake of Plymouth and Joseph (and Karen) Polta of Eden Prairie; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.  Also surviving is one brother, Tom Groebner of New Ulm and a sister-in-law, Mary Groebner of Lincoln, Nebraska, besides other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jacob in 2012; infant daughter Teresa; one sister, Marcella and three brothers, Stuart, David and Richard.

Memorials are preferred to the College of Saint Benedict (37 South College Avenue, St. Joseph, MN 56374) and Music Matters (PO Box 507, Willmar, MN 56201).