Ruth Leona Allen

Ruth Leona Allen, 88, Pingree, North Dakota, died Monday, Feb. 1, 2016 at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck, N. Dak.
Ruth was born October 29, 1927 near Woodworth, N.Dak., the daughter of Andrew and Mary (Paluh) Kania. She attended country school near Woodworth and grew up as a "tomboy" riding horses on a farm near Sykeston, where she and her siblings were raised by her mother and stepfather, Ted Walicski.
In 1944, Ruth moved to Chicago to live with her Aunt Annie while working for a defense company making telephones. Many times, she and fellow employees added their names and addresses to the packaged telephones in hopes they would gain a soldier pen-pal. Ruth often joked that she never did get a letter back!
Ruth moved back to North Dakota to help on the farm when her stepfather became ill. It was on this farm that she met a shy, young hired hand named Bernard (Bernie) Allen. She introduced herself after her future sister-in-law encouraged her to offer the young man a tomato, which Bernie quietly accepted. Ruth discovered later that Bernie hated tomatoes! On their first date a few weeks later, Ruth joined Bernie in his truck on a trip to Carrington to deliver a load of coal.
Ruth married Bernie on March 17, 1946 at Edmunds. They farmed near Pingree and enjoyed 53 wonderful years of supporting their community, traveling and raising son Kelly Paul and daughter Peggy June. Bernie died Nov. 9, 1999, and Ruth dearly missed her husband, including daily wake-up calls when Bernie served her a morning cup of coffee and they would plan their day together. Ruth continued to live on the farm until moving to a rest home in Bismarck in October, 2012.
Ruth was a member of Pingree Congregational Church and Ladie's Aid and for years, an active and enthusiastic member of many Pingree-area organizations, including the Pingree Cafe. She loved attending community and civic events and was a member of the Jay Notes singing group in Jamestown as well as an ardent supporter of Jamestown-area fine arts, concerts and plays. She enjoyed her morning walks and appreciated nature and the beauty of North Dakota. She loved traveling with her family and friends and visited all 50 states and at least 12 foreign countries. Her friends and family remember her as a true blessing-a kind and generous lady who supported many charities, including the Salvation Army as a bell ringer. She had a keen sense of humor and was a people person who cared genuinely for the less fortunate.
Ruth is survived by her "favorite" daughter, Peggy (Eldon) Krein, Bismarck; daughter-in-law, Karla Allen, Pingree, N. Dak.; three grandchildren; Michael (Charley) Allen, Bakersfield, Calif.; Tracy (Blake) Booker, Phoenix, Ariz.; Kai Lyn Allen, Moorhead, Minn.; and six great-grandchildren. She also is survived by two brothers, Don Walicski, and Ed (Shirley) Walicski, a sister-in-law, Mary Walicski; brother-in-law, Merle Allen; and many cousins, nieces and nephews that were very special to her.
Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband and beloved son; one sister, Helen Billings; and two brothers, Bernard Walicski and Teddy Walicski.
Ruth's memorial service is scheduled for Sat., Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. at Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown, ND with Pastor Bryce Tahran officiating. Memorials may be sent to McCoy Ministries, Jamestown; or Jamestown Regional Medical Center. Ruth would appreciate that memorials in honor of her be in the form of an Act of Kindness (pay it forward).

Online guest book: www.eddyfuneralhome.com

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