Please click on the tribute video below to view Ruth's celebration of life and burial services.

Ruth E. Steen, 97, Moorhead, MN, formerly of Halstad, MN, was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead, MN.

Ruth Elaine (Langemo) Steen was born on July 11, 1923, on the family farm, near Fingal, ND, daughter of Halvor P. and Ida (Maasjo) Langemo.  Her early education began in a rural school, then at Valley City High School, graduating in the Class of 1941.  She went on to graduate from Valley City State Teachers College in 1945 with a degree focused in Physical Education.  Her first job teaching was in Jamestown, ND. During that time, she met her husband, Lynn Steen, a military friend of her youngest brother, Howard.  Ruth and Lynn were married in Valley City on October 17, 1948 and moved to Halstad, MN to begin farming.

Ruth started teaching and coaching in Halstad in 1958 and discovered a need for girls sports.  With no interscholastic sports program for females in Minnesota High Schools at that time, she became involved at a State Level with the Girls Athletic Association (GAA). She was also involved in developing a new higher level state program called the Extramural Athletic Program. In those developing years, Ruth served on two State Advisory Committees, most notably as a member of the Women's Advisory Program.  She was instrumental in helping to lay the foundation for the present girls interscholastic athletic programs in the State of Minnesota. After 23 years of coaching and teaching in Halstad, Ruth retired in 1981.

In the Spring of 1993, Norman County West High School recognized Ruth by initiating an annual Ruth Steen Athletic Award which was presented, each year, to the school's top female athlete until the school closed. On September 24, 2015, she was honored by having the school's gym named the Ruth Steen Gymnasium and on September 24, 2016, she was presented with the Certificate of Merit Award by the Valley City State University Alumni Association.

Ruth had a broad and active love for sports.  She supported her home state sports teams, the Vikings, Twins, and her beloved Minnesota Lynx. Ruth started golfing during her retirement and continued to play into her 90's. Ruth's love for sports was exceeded only by her love for family and her active faith in God.  She was a member of the Halstad Lutheran Church and served in many capacities there over the years.

Ruth is survived by her daughters, Linda (Bob) Engelstad, Gatzke, MN, and Ann (Brad) Williams, Fargo, ND; daughter-in-law, Marianne Steen, Wamego, KS; one brother Howard Langemo (#14) of Valley City, ND; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Steen, Halstad, MN; and Betty Langemo, Grass Valley, CA; 9 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lynn; son, Tim; 12 brothers and sisters; several brothers-in-law and her sisters-in-law.

Special thanks to the staff of Eventide Lutheran Home and to Hospice of the Red River Valley for the kind and compassionate care they provided to Ruth. She will be missed by the many lives she has touched. Blessed be her memory.

Memorials are preferred to be given to Halstad Lutheran Church or The American Cancer Society in memory of Ruth's son Tim, and husband, Lynn.

Service Details: A Celebration of Ruth's Life will take place at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at Halstad Lutheran Church, Halstad, MN, following all of the Minnesota and CDC COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. Masks are required to attend.

Visitation: One hour before the service at the church.

Burial: Halstad South Cemetery, Halstad, MN.

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