Ruth Hagen, 97, died on Sunday, December 10, 2006 at Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 AM, Friday, December 15, 2006 at Our Saviours Lutheran Church with Rev. Greg Schram officiating. Burial will follow in Rindal Cemetery, New Solum Township, Marshall County, MN.

Visitation will be held Thursday 4-7 PM at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Ruth E. Rustad was born on March 25, 1909, the youngest daughter of Christ and Martha (Nelson) Rustad in Wolverton, MN. Ruth moved with her family at age 3 to the Holt Community where she was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith.

On December 10, 1932 Ruth was united in marriage to William T. Hagen of rural Newfolden where they made their home until Williams retirement in 1963 when they moved to Thief River Falls. Ruth was active in Rindal Lutheran Church. There she taught Sunday School, sang in the womens choir, and served for many years as an officer in the Ladies Aid. Later when Rindal closed, she became a member of Our Saviours Lutheran Church. Ruth worked for 25 years at the Valley Home as a nurse aid. She was also a member of the Happy Seniors Rhythm Band.

Ruths claim to fame was her true story of faith entitled Alone Through the Dark published in the August, 1997 issue of Guideposts magazine. This was subsequently republished in the hard cover version of Guideposts Best Loved Stories in 1998. It also appeared in the first issue of Chicken Soup for the Christian Womens Soul.

Ruth is survived by four daughters: Inez (Clayton) Mathson, Thief River Falls, MN; Shirly (Ronald) Smith, South Milwaukee, WI; Joyce (Darrel) Qualley, Pequot Lakes, MN; Judy Tandberg-Mason, Courtland, VA; grandchildren: Brenda (Jeff) Nielsen, Bruce (Shelly) Mathson, Clair Mathson, Christi (Bruce) Carter, and Brian Mathson, Kevin, Kyle and Kent (Jill) Smith, Dawn (Greg) Dyrdal, Jill (Stuart) Minske, Matthew (Britt) Qualley, Vincent (Garlenzka) Tandberg, and Marcy Tandberg. Survivors also include nineteen great grandchildren, several step great grandchildren, and 4 step great great grandchildren.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband William, one granddaughter Dana Qualley, her parents, 2 sisters and 4 brothers, and 1 son in law, Roland Mason.

ORGANIST: Wanda Vigness
SPECIAL MUSIC: Michelle Forness & Rachel Mathson
SELECTIONS: On Eagles Wings, Borning Cry
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Great is Thy Faithfulness, Joy to the World
CASKETBEARERS: Kevin Smith, Kyle Smith, Kent Smith, Bruce Mathson, Clair Mathson, Brian Mathson, Vincent Tandberg, Matthew Qualley