Obituary of Ruth Jeannette Thompson

Ruth Jeannette Thompson was born on December 28, 1937 in West Union Township, MN and was the daughter of Frank and Thelma McArdell. She grew up and attended school in Osakis, MN and graduated from Osakis High School. She then attended beauty school in Fergus Falls where she met her future husband, Richard Thompson, through a classmate.

Ruth and Richard were married on March 15, 1958. They began their lives together in Fergus Falls before moving to Lakeville where they raised their 5 children. In retirement, they purchased a hobby farm in Evansville, MN to enjoy the quiet country life. The farm was a gathering place for the family in the summer months. There was always something to work on and always some good trouble to get into. In September 2016, Ruth and Richard moved back to Burnsville, MN when Richard was diagnosed with Liver Cancer to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Ruth enjoyed gardening, crocheting, puzzles and making jams, apple butter and bread-n-butter pickles to share with friends and family. She also adored her dogs Skippy and Peanuts, and her cat Purdy.

Ruth passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 2, at Carefree Living in Burnsville at the age of 84. She is survived by her children: Barbara (Kevin) Rux, Dennis Thompson, and Connie (Lex) Cralley, son-in-law Greg Boland; 12 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren; sisters: Ida (Richard) Breitkreutz and Ella (Mike) Gilbert; sisters-in-law: Margaret Leidal, Joan (Larry) Steeves, Lynn Leegard, MaryAnn (Tom) Berryman, and Marcia Barrett; brothers-in-law: Robert (Joanne) Thompson, Jerome Thompson, and Jeffery (Bonnie) Thompson, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; parents, Frank and Thelma McArdell; daughter and son, Janet Boland and Gerald Thompson; brothers, Frank McArdell, Tom McArdell and John McArdell; and sisters, Rose Wogan, Helen Jensen and Sarah McArdell.

A ‘Celebration of Life’ for both Ruth and Richard will be held on September 24, 2022 at 11:00am when they will be laid to rest together at the Evergreen Cemetery, in Osakis, MN. There will be a luncheon to follow at the Bowling Barn in Oaskis.

Richard passed away on October 5, 2020 but services were postponed due to the pandemic. Richard’s obituary: https://cremationsocietyofmn.com/tribute/details/34060/Richard-Thompson/obituary.html.