Ruth Ochsner

Ruth M. Ochsner, 86, Jamestown, North Dakota died Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at Ave Maria Village in Jamestown.

Ruth Marion Wittkop was born August 15, 1923, in Grand Prairie township, North Dakota, the daughter of William and Hazel (Benham) Wittkop. She grew up in Pillsbury, ND, and was a 1942 graduate of Pillsbury High School. Ruth graduated from The New York Hairdressing Academy, Fargo, ND, and worked in Kenmare, ND and at The Powers Hotel Salon, Fargo. She married Eugene Ochsner on July 22, 1944 in Moorhead, MN. They lived in Fargo, Pillsbury, Valley City, Jamestown, and Edgeley, returning to Jamestown in 1959. Ruth was a homemaker. After Eugene's death, February 12, 1974, she worked at Smith Jewelers, Jamestown. July 16, 1979, she went on to work at the Stutsman County Library, retiring August 12, 1996. Ruth moved to Rock of Ages, Jamestown, in April 2002, and became a resident of Ave Maria Village in December 2003.

Ruth enjoyed people and liked to be on the go, enjoying her coffee parties, Blue Jay Sports and the Minnesota Twins. She had a reputation as a good dancer and enjoyed music. Ruth was an avid reader. Reading and her sense of humor were not detered by her failing health.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Jamestown.

Ruth is survived by two sons, Gary (Joy), Minot, ND and Bruce (Cindy), Montpelier, ND; daughter, Ann (Joel) Wilson, Jamestown; four grandchildren, Lynn (Chad) Johnson, Marvel, ND, Jay (Melissa) Ochsner, Bismarck, ND, Vanessa Ochsner, Fairmount, ND, and Hayley Wilson, Minneapolis, MN; one step-great granddaughter, Courtenay Paulson, Bismarck, ND; and special friend, Freida Schrade.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister, Bette Gast; an infant son, James; and a granddaughter, Michelle Schaffer.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Alfred Dickey Public Library or Ave Maria Village, all of Jamestown.

On line guestbook: www.eddyfuneralhome.com