Ruth Marie Sherman

Ruth Marie Sherman, age 91 of Osakis passed away on Friday, February 24, 2023, at the Long Prairie Nursing Home. 

Ruth was born on May 15^th, 1931, in Morristown, MN to Leslie and Edith (Imm) Young. She attended Faribault Public School and graduated with the class of 1949. After graduation she worked for American District Telegraph Bus Company in St. Paul. Ruth traveled to Long Prairie to take photos, as she was the only one in the family with a camera, while there Ruth and met Marvin Swenstad at the Chatterbox. In May of 1953 Ruth was united in marriage to Marvin, they were blessed with three children, Barbara, John and Howard. Together they owned Marv’s 66 in Long Prairie. Marvin passed away in September of 1962. Ruth worked as a clerk at the Long Prairie Sales Barn. She then met Lester Rassmusen and were married in August of 1963. They owned Rassmusen Construction. Ruth worked alongside Lester building many homes in the Long Prairie area. Lester passed away in November of 1968. Through mutual friends, Ruth met Ronald Sherman. On November 28^th, 1970, Ruth and Ronald were united in marriage. During their 43 years of marriage, they moved several times; from owning a dairy farm in rural Long Prairie to moving to Arizona where they started R&R Ceramics, then relocated back to central MN and purchased the Little Store in Osakis, renaming it R&R Grocery. The businesses sold in 1976 and Ruth became the head cook for Washington Elementary School and Pilgrim Point both in Alexandria, MN. 

Ruth loved spending time with her family and friends, enjoying cards and a good game of Scrabble. She spent a lot of time outdoors tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. She was a collector of many things found at local garage sales and flea markets, though, blue glass and bells were her favorite. She was a talented painter and spent many hours quilting. Ruth was a very loving and devoted mother and grandmother. 

Ruth was active in the Osakis Lutheran Church Circle and the Osakis Nursing Home Auxiliary.

Ruth is survived by her three children; Barbara (Mark) Helgeson of Parkers Prairie, John Swenstad and Howard (Lynnette) Swenstad all of Osakis; five grandchildren; Michael (Sandy) Helgeson, Amy (Brent) Bitzan, Jennifer (Matt) Blair, Kristie Swenstad and Kyle (Moli) Swenstad; six great grandchildren; Maverick, Griffin, Liam, Brody, McKinley and Sawyer. 

Preceding her death are her parents, husbands; Marvin, Lester and Ronald, sibling’s; Lorraine, Duane, Allan, Margaret, Chuck, Warren and Ardith.

A Celebration Of Life will be held at the Osakis Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 6^th, 2023, at 11:00 o’clock with a visitation one hour prior.