Ruth M. Nielsen, age 94 of New Ulm, died peacefully on December 13, 2024, at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Waconia MN.

A Memorial Service will be held at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home, South Chapel on Saturday May 17th. Visitation starts at 9:30, Funeral at 11:00 followed by internment at the New Ulm Cemetery.

Ruth is survived by her daughter Kathryn A Reed, age 70 (Eugene Oregon); sister, Doris Hildebrandt (Kenyon MN), and 4 nieces, 1 nephew and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother-in-law Wallace Hildebrandt, (Kenyon MN), niece Lori Hildebrandt and nephew Eric Hildebrandt.

Ruth was born July 10, 1930 at Union Hospital in New Ulm to Herman & Frieda (Hager) Ganske.  Graduating in 1948 she worked at various jobs in the New Ulm area.  In 1953 she moved to Long Beach CA, working in Electrical Assembly for 5 years. While living in CA she enjoyed visiting Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland, Marine World and many interesting places with her daughter Kathryn.  Upon her return to New Ulm, she started her 32+ year career at Kraft Foods.  For 15 years after retiring in 1990 Ruth volunteered countless hours at the Brown County Humane Society, The Clothing Depot, the Hospital Coffee Shop, the Kraft Newsletter and more.

While her daughter still lived in New Ulm, they enjoyed many vacations including two trips into Canada, the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Texas, Wyoming and Montana, exploring National Parks and tourist destinations.  Ruth also adventured to the Bahamas with a Christian Travel group and to both Idaho and Oregon to visit her daughter.

She loved following the Minnesota Twins, her flower garden, attending class plays, eating out, and visiting with class mates, former work friends and neighbors.  A big part of her life included her Church Family.  Ruth was an avid card and letter writer and at age 73 learned how to use the commuter and continued staying in touch via email.  She compiled many scrapbooks including vacation albums, sewed many small quilts, and enjoyed walking and participating in exercise classes.  A HUGE place in her heart was always reserved for her cats and later 2 small dogs.

Ruth moved from her home on Payne St in 2014 to Ridgeway North where she continued to be active.  In early 2023 health concerns required the move to Good Sam where she was well cared for.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Brown County Humane Society or Forever Home Animal Sanctuary.