Ruth Zimmel, age 92, of Mahnomen, MN, died Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Golden Living Center, Moorhead, MN.

Ruth Leona Rekow, daughter of Albert and Katherine (Loeffler) Rekow, was born on June 27, 1919 in Elgin, ND. She spent her childhood in Elgin and as a teenager moved with her family to Beaulieu, MN. On May 1, 1939 Ruth was united in marriage to Peter Zimmel in Perham, MN. The couple spent a year living in Woodstock, IL, before returning to the Beaulieu area. Together they operated a farm and raised their family. In addition to the work of a farmwife, Ruth was also employed outside the home. Over the years, she worked at the Fosston grocery store, the Fosston potato plant, P&L Farm Supply in Mahnomen and she worked many years for the drug store in Mahnomen. In 1973, Ruth and Peter sold the farm and moved into Mahnomen to make their home. In the late 1970's, they lived a short time in Renville, MN where she worked at the sugarbeet company. Ruth devotedly cared for Peter, due to his failing health, for nearly 15 years until his death in 1987. Ruth stayed very busy serving as an aide at the Mahnomen Public School where she was lovingly known as "Grandma Ruth." She also spent many hours working at the Mahnomen Historical Society Museum. In 2008, Ruth moved to Moorhead where she has since made her home at the Golden Living Center.

Ruth served many years on the Beaulieu Township Board as well as being very active in Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. She loved to watch a Minnesota Twins baseball game, play bingo, and an occasional trip to the casino. She was truly a caregiver and saw that the needs of others were taken care of first. Ruth drove her friends to church weekly and always had a wonderful meal ready for visitors. She loved her family deeply and cherished the special times she was able to spend with her children and grandchildren.

Ruth is survived by one son, Peter (Brenda) Zimmel of Dilworth, MN; two daughters: Gloria (Richard) Swanson of Coon Rapids, MN, and Patricia (LeRoy) Bjornson of Enchanted Oaks, TX; one brother, William "Bud" (Marion) Rekow of Elk Grove, CA; six grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and two great great granddaughters.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; twin infant daughters; two grandsons; six sisters and three brothers.


Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 4th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, with a Prayer Service at 6:30pm, at the Anderson-Mattson Funeral Home in Mahnomen.