Ruth Elaine Andre

Born September 18, 1926; passed December 5, 2011, New Brighton Minnesota. Age at Passing: 85 years 2 months 17 Days Ruth Elaine Hildebrandt was born on September 18, 1926 in Winona, Minnesota, the only child of Joseph and Lydia Hildebrandt. Ruth's family moved from Winona to her mother's family farm near Lewiston, Minnesota at the start of the depression. They lived there until she was seven years old, when her family moved back to Winona. As an only child she spent many hours alone while the adults were off during the day working the farm. Being raised in a family that spoke mostly German, she did not speak English when she started school. In addition to the language difficulties she was left handed. Left handed was not permitted so she was forced to do everything with her right hand. At fourteen she got a job at Kresge's Department Store. Her ability and dedication lead to her being put in charge of the candy counter, a job she always liked even as an adult working at Snyder's Drug Store. Ruth became a Snyder's Drug Store employee on September 17, 1963. She was a Snyder's store bookkeeper for many years. She worked continuously at different locations until Snyder's closed all of its company owned union stores in the Twin Cities area during the first quarter of 2010. When Snyder's closed the doors she had reached 46 years and 5 months of dedicated service. Ruth was a long time Union activist, becoming union steward shortly after starting work at Snyder's Drug Store. After being a steward for many years, she became an Executive Board member. She volunteered for many local union events from picketing to face painting. She especially enjoyed face painting children at the union parties. In 2004, she received the UFCW Local 789 Activist Award. For many years Ruth was a member of CLUW (Coalition of Labor Women). She served as Treasurer for many years and Executive Board Member of the Minnesota Chapter, attending many local and national conferences. Ruth was also politically active; she was a member of the DFL party for many years, serving as DFL Treasurer in her local Senate District 50 for much of that time. She did campaign volunteering, attended caucuses and volunteered for fund raisers, including the donut booth at the Minnesota State Fair. Ruth also attended beauty school with the idea of having her own part time business. She received her Cosmetologist Operator license 7/5/84 and kept it current through 12/31/11. Ruth was a devoted mother and grandmother who was always ready for travel and fun adventures. In addition to her frequent travels to union and DFL conventions, she enjoyed many family vacations to Hawaii, Japan, and a long awaited cruise to Alaska in June of 2011, where she enjoyed a float plane scenic excursion, a train ride along a gold rush trail and a helicopter ride to a glacier field where she went on a dog sled ride. At the time of her death, she was looking forward to visiting family in Seattle for Christmas. Ruth is survived by son Stephen M. Andre, son Michael L. Andre and his wife Nancy Erickson, and grandson Eric M. Andre. Other family members are Bambi Milne and her children Dusty and Heather. A celebration of Ruth's life will be held at 1pm on Saturday, April 21st, 2012 at Holcomb-Henry-Boom-Purcell Funeral Home, 515 Highway 96 West, Shoreview, Minnesota (651-482-7606). Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Winona MN.

Tributes

Ruth Elaine Andre

September 18, 1926 - December 5, 2011

Tributes

Ruth Elaine Andre

September 18, 1926 - December 5, 2011

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