Ruth J. Swanson (Romdalvik)

Ruth J. Swanson, 88 of Devils Lake ND passed away on Monday, July 13, 2020 surrounded by her loving family, blessed to be in their care and the care of Altru Hospice.

Funeral Services for Ruth will be held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake on Monday, July 20, 2020 at 1:30 p.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 Sunday, July 19^th from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue at St. Olaf on Monday one hour prior to the funeral service.   In respecting COVID-19 and St. Olaf Lutheran Church restrictions, social distancing and masks are required at the funeral service.  Everyone consider your safety and health in attending the visitation and funeral service.

Ruth Jean Romdalvik, daughter of Harold and Ragna (Hersel) Romdalvik, was born on December 1, 1931 in Starkweather, ND. She lived her entire life in the Lake Region, attending school at Graham's Island, Minnewaukan, Fort Totten and Devils Lake.

Starting at age 15, Ruth was a Nanny to Dr. John Fawcett’s little girl for a couple of years. Ruth also taught Grade School in Eddie County. On March 4, 1950 was united in marriage to the love of her life Leo G. Swanson in Devils Lake. They made their home on land they purchased south of Devils Lake.  They would live, work and raise their family at this home their entire life.  In 1954 together they established Swansons Gravel, where she would do Bookkeeping for the company until 2015, due to failing eyesight.

Besides being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and Aunt, Ruth worked several years as a Nurses Assistant at General Hospital in Devils Lake, a Star Route Mail Carrier and a Certified Health Unit Coordinator at Mercy Hospital until her retirement in 2008.  

Ruth was an avid reader, especially Medical Books. She loved crocheting blankets and Gardening, she was also an exceptional bowler, often receiving many certificates for high scores. Ruth loved holidays, family get-togethers and any chance to spend time with her family was important to her.  She was so very proud of her family and enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren in their younger years.  She would spend hours baking the best caramel rolls, buns and no one could deny her homemade doughnuts were absolutely delicious.  Ruth always wanted to feed her family and anyone who entered her home.

Ruth was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church through the years.

Ruth was a hard working woman with a good sense of humor who was well known for her feisty spirit. She loved to visit over a cup of coffee & cream with meal to share. She will be deeply missed by all her family and all that knew her.  

Ruth’s loving family include her children Leo Richard Swanson of Devils Lake, Gene Swanson and his wife Lori of Devils Lake, ND and Patty and her husband Gene Bakken also of Devils Lake; grandchildren Todd (Jessica) Swanson, Amy (fiancé Dean Borstad) Lee all of Devils Lake, Ryan Swanson, Grafton ND, Jason (Elise) Swanson, Jeremy (Lindsey) Swanson, Sandra Johnston, Melissa Johnston, Jade (Josh Dahm) Johnston all of Devils Lake, Jennifer Swanson, Starkweather, Chris Bakken, Warren MN and Coty (fiancé Dave Geske) Bakken, Fargo ND; great grandchildren Brandon (Anna) Swanson, Austin Lee, Brady Lee, Seth Lang, Presten Swanson, Carson and Cooper Dahm; great great grandchildren Ben, Kyzer, Leo, Cahlen and Cashlynn; brother Leland (Arlene) Romdalvik, Bradenton FL; in-laws Don Schell, Devils Lake and Viola Dionne, Fargo; several nieces, nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Ragna Romdalvik, husband Leo Swanson, sisters Donna Vilandre, Lorna Romdalvik and Lois Romdalvik; brothers Jim, Harold, Gary, Marvin, Ronald and Russell Romdalvik, Great Grandson Coltan Swanson; father-in-law and mother-in-law Rudolph and Ethel Swanson, sisters-in-law Leona Schell and Jane Romdalvik.