Ruth B. Smith, 90, Hibbing, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, February 19, 2013, at Guardian Angels Health & Rehabilitation Center Center, Hibbing. She was born Dec. 16, 1922, in Menahga, MN to Clarence and Susan Smith and moved to Hibbing when she was five. Ruth graduated from Hibbing High School and had worked for a short time at US Steel during World War II then spent the next several years raising her children. She was an excellent cook and seamstress. Ruth also worked at JC Penney of Hibbing for 17 years, retiring in 1981. Ruth was an active member of First Lutheran Church for over 70 years and a member of VFW Post 8510 Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed bowling in her earlier years and attending her TOPS group. Ruth’s greatest joy was spending time at her cabin on Perch Lake with her husband, Al Smith, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She will be greatly missed by two daughters: Sherry DeJarlais of Hibbing and Jennifer Charles of Eagan; a son, Dennis (Joyce) Smith of Bismarck, ND; 6 grandchildren: Nicole (Curtis) Foley of Shoreview, MN, Lisa DeJarlais of Brewer, ME, Eric Smith of Bismarck, ND, Melissa Staigle of Bismarck, ND, Jodi (Ryan) Christiansen of Fargo, ND, and Jeremy (Kati) Berg of Rochester, MN; 12 great-grandchildren: Colton Foley, Olivia Foley, Amanda, Christian, and Matthew Smith, Paige and Brooke Staigle, Henry and Eva Christiansen, Ian and Thea Berg, and Gabrielle Keller; a sister, Barbara O’Connor of Sartell, MN; two sisters-in-law, Marge Smith of Chisholm and Ann Smith of Duluth; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Al Smith; by her parents; a brother, Melvin Smith; a sister, Grace Christofferson; four brothers-in-law: Russell Smith, Bill O’Connor, Bob Christofferson, and Clifford Smith, and a sister-in-law, Mary Smith.
Visitation will be Friday February 22, 2013, from 6—8 PM in Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing, and also Saturday February 23, 2013, at First Lutheran Church for one hour prior to the 11 AM funeral service. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hibbing. To leave a message of condolence, please visit Dougherty Funeral Home.