Ruth Stephensen

MASON CITY ? Ruth Stephenson, 84, of Mason City died Friday, April 8, 2005 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Memorial service for Ruth will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 16, 2005 at Our Saviour?s Lutheran Church, 2502 South Jefferson Avenue with Rev. Joel Dahlen officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa or Our Saviour?s Lutheran Church in her name. Ruth was born December 11, 1920 the daughter of Alfred and Clara (Knutson) Christopherson at home on her parents farm near Fillmore, North Dakota. She was raised in Austin, Minnesota where she met and was united in marriage to Carroll A. Stephenson on December 1, 1940. They moved to Mason City in 1964. Ruth was a longtime hostess and waitress at the Red Llama and Chart Steak House. Her husband Carroll, who died December 22, 1992 was a well known musician and the Bass player for the Hob Mason Trio at the Chart Steakhouse. Ruth spent much of her retirement volunteering. She spent many hours at the MacNider Art Museum, The Discovery Shop, Madison Elementary and Hospice of North Iowa. Ruth was a member of Our Saviour?s Lutheran Church for over 40 years. Ruth enjoyed her travels to Florida where she spent many hours walking the beaches and collecting seashells, and in later years she relished time spent working in her gardens. She deeply loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and friends, she cherished anytime spent with them. Ruth is survived by her daughters, Sally Ann Johnson and Jane Harris both of Mason City; her sons, Richard Stephenson and wife Reva of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, Thomas Stephenson and wife Jan of Planview, Minnesota, Charles Stephenson and wife Candyce of Mason City, Mark Stephenson and wife Kathy of Maple Grove, Minnesota and John Stephenson and wife Pam also of Mason City. She is also survived by two sisters, Vernyce Austin and Delphy Voorhees both of Austin, Minnesota, 13 grandchildren: Katie, Beth, Tim, Jennifer, Andrew, Alyssa, Benjamin, Jeff, Shelby, Heather, Mike, Samantha and Daniel; 10 great grandchildren: Nina Zoe, Travis, Maren, Nancy, Jon Thomas, Ali, Brittney, Danielle, Drake and Nicholas, brother-in-law, William Stephenson and wife Lucy of Aurora, Colorado, and many nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Clara, her husband Carroll, one brother, Loren and a special friend, Tom MacNider. Major Erickson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, 641-423-0924.

Visitation:
11:00 PM to 11:00 PM at on April 24, 2005 (map/driving directions) 11:00 PM to 11:00 PM at on April 24, 2005 (map/driving directions)

Service:
11:00 PM at on April 24, 2005 (map/driving directions)