Ruth A. Nelson, 98, of Maddock, ND, died Wednesday, October 31, 2012, at the Heart of America Medical Center Hospital in Rugby, ND.  Funeral services will be Friday, November 9, 2012,  11:00 AM  at Viking Lutheran Church, rural Maddock, with Pastor Allen Campbell officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday November 8, 2012 from 4 to 7pm with a 7pm Prayer Service at the Nelson Funeral Home in Maddock.  Casket bearers will be her grandsons:  Jon Nelson,  Tim Hugelen,  Steven Stoa,  Wayne Stoa,  Dan Hugelen,  David Rice,  Donald Rice and Travis Smith.  Honorary bearers are the staff and residents of Maddock Memorial Home.  Music for the service will be from Audrey Hugelen, pianist with Jim Gilbertson and Arlyss Bergrud, vocalists.

Ruth A. Alfstad was born July 19, 1914 in Valhalla, Twp, rural Sheyenne, ND, to Alvin and Hilda (Mattson) Alfstad.  She attended the Valhalla grade school and also Sheyenne High School.  Following the death of her mother, Ruth cared for her infant brother.  Ruth married Alvin G. Nelson on July 31, 1934 at her parents home.  The couple lived on the farm in South Viking Township until moving to Maddock in 1951.  They returned to the farm in 1963.  Alvin passed away on September 8, 1985.  Ruth moved into Maddock in 1986 and remained in her home until 2001. She then moved into an assisted living apartment in the Maddock Memorial Home.  She had just recently become a resident of the Heart of America Medical Center Long Term Care in Rugby, ND.  Ruth and Alvin traveled to Hawaii, Norway and spent a number of winters in Arizona.

Ruth was baptized, confirmed and a member of the Eden Lutheran Church rural Sheyenne until her marriage.  She was a member of Viking Lutheran Church and its WELCA,  a member of the Maddock Sons of Norway,  a Homemakers Club, Maddock 55 Club, Harvey Eagles Auxiliary,  Devils Lake Elks Auxiliary and bowled with the Grandmas.  Ruth enjoyed  crocheting,  gardening, cooking, canning and was an avid rummy card player at the Memorial Home.  She embroidered and constructed the Bunad that she is wearing today and enjoyed wearing it for many Norwegian events.  The Hardanger apron was made for her by  granddaughter, Chris Hugelen-Johnson.

Surviving are her children:  Donna Rice of Maddock,  Alva (Don) Stoa of Fergus Falls, MN,  Sandra (Dale) Olson of Maddock,  Loren Nelson of Peoria, AZ and Marsha (Irv) Smith of Bismarck;  16 grandchildren;  31 great-grandchildren;  2 great-greatgrandchildren and a sister:  Helen Thueson of Anaheim, CA.

Preceding her in death was her husband;  sons-in-law:  Lowell Hugelen and Jerry Rice;  brothers:  Hilding, Gordon,  Jarvis and Norman Alfstad;  sisters:  Betty Kitzman,  Iva Grant,  Thelma Brandt,  Julia Noraker,  Violet Scheulke  and an infant sister.





Condolences :

Our sympathy to the family of Ruth Nelson.  Ruth was a gracious lady.  We enjoyed our visits with her.  She raised a remarkable family.  May her memory be a blessing to all.  Florence & Art Wheeler