Ruth S. Kenner

Ruth Solveig Dokken Kenner was born April 5, 1928 at home on the Dokken Ranch, along the edge of the Mouse River, north of Towner, ND. She was the middle of 7 children born to Syvert and Clara (Oium) Dokken.  Ruth grew up helping her family on the ranch, and attended school in a one room school house not far from her home, with her siblings.  After she finished her schooling, she worked at the local bank for a time, before love brought her to the next step, in her life’s journey. 

In 1950, she married the love of her life, Gilmar Darwin Kenner. Together they raised 9 beautiful children on a farm overlooking 6 Mile Bay of Devils Lake, ND.  One of the many gifts, God gave Ruth, was her ability to be a caregiver.  Aside from raising nine children, she worked for many years at the Good Samaritan Center, as well as the local crisis unit.  She demonstrated time and time again the importance of doing anything and everything you can to help the ones you love, as she cared for their adult daughter (with developmental disabilities), and later her beloved husband, as he battled with his health. 

Ruth had a most beautiful soul, filled with compassion, love, kindness, and joy. She had the ability to make everyone she met, feel loved and worthy, and her love for her family was unconditional and immeasurable. 

Ruth enjoyed all things musical, had a knack for crafts and baking, and had the greenest thumb around. Her presence was like the warmth of sunshine, you could never get enough.  It has been said that “True beauty emanates from a woman who boldly and unabashedly knows who she is in Christ,” and that could not be a more accurate description of our beloved Ruth.  She had a strong faith in God, and the peace she had as she finished her journey here on earth, was awe-inspiring.  In her own words, “I’ve never tried to picture what Heaven looked like, I just know it will be wonderful!” She went home peacefully on Thursday, January 25, 2018. 

Ruth is survived by her sister Sigrid Medalen, Petersburg, Alaska; eight of her children Daria (Jerry) Miller, Devils Lake, Karla (John) Cossette, Klamath Falls, OR, Lanny (Lenora) Kenner, Bismarck, ND, Corry (Kristin) Kenner, Devils Lake, Melissa (Mark) Soderquist, Coon Rapids, MN, Yvonne (Douglas) Bonfield, Madras, OR, Jeff (Shelley) Kenner and Deanna Kenner, all of Devils Lake and her son-in-law Myron Bosch and his wife Paulette also of Devils Lake. She is survived by 26 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, as well as sisters-in-law June Dokken and Monna Mae Dokken. 

Welcoming her into heaven: her parents; beloved husband Darwin; daughter Jan Bosch; brothers Reinhart, Adrian and Ernie Dokken; sisters Hjordis (George) Blanchfield and Elizabeth (Marshal) Taylor. What a glorious reunion!

Ruth will be missed more than words could ever express, but her friends and family are at peace in knowing she is home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the many loved ones who have gone before her. She is free from pain, free from sickness, and though her earthly body has passed away, she is more alive now than ever before. 

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Jim Paulson officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 7:30 p.m. Visitation on Thursday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.

Casket Bearers for Ruth will be her grandsons Todd Miller, Brian Miller, Philip Kenner, Jesse Kenner, Jason Cossette, Ryan Cossette, Jordan Kenner, Lee Bosch, Kelly Bosch, Derek Bosch and Ethan Kenner.  Reading the Scriptures will be granddaughters Sheena Fetzer and Jennifer Orsua with special tributes by granddaughter Amanda Havelange and Susie Peterson.  Music will be provided by Dennis and Jean Aardahl along with Congregational Hymns.