Ruth Amelia Eilts was born on August 31, 1925, in Fulton, SD to Elmer and Amanda (Lienemann) Klinger. After attending a one-room school, Ruth went on to earn her teaching degree and taught in a one-room school. Ruth met Verne Eilts through youth activities at church, and after encouragement from the pastor Verne asked her out. They were married on October 5, 1947. As a married couple they moved to Mitchell, SD, where Ruth spent the rest of her life. Raising her three children was a priority, but Ruth also loved the purpose she found in having a career. She worked at Singer Sewing, Zion Lutheran Church, Avera Queen of Peace Hospital and Red Cross. After retirement she continued to serve as a volunteer. She was a surgery hostess at Avera, sent cards to servicemen and shut-ins for the Red Cross, helped with BINGO at Firesteel Nursing Home, and did activities with her church and ELCA circle. Ruth was an avid reader. In the past two years she read over 500 novels and almost the entire Message Bible on her Kindle. She loved to play cards and table games. She was competitive to the end. Her common purpose in life was to show love in the manner that she knew she was loved by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Ruth was blessed with a large family. She had three children, son, Martin (Lila) Eilts, and daughters: Linda (Stan) Albrecht and Deb Eilts. She had six grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Ruth had three sisters, Elsie Patzlaff, Betty (Don) O’Neill, and Mary (Courtney) Hall, and wonderful nieces and nephews that she treasured to the very end. A wonderful memory was made in July as over 100 family and friends gathered to celebrate her 90th birthday on a date Ruth chose hoping more could travel and attend. Being in great health, she thoroughly enjoyed the day from beginning to end. No one knew the end was so near. Not only did she get to enjoy all those she loved, her family was able to celebrate her!
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a special friend, Milo Weber, and several brothers/sisters in-law.
