Ruth Arlette Hagestuen

Ruth Hagestuen started her nursing career as an Air Force nurse during the Vietnam War after which she lived and worked for 13 years as a nurse and collaborator in developing health care programs in Madagascar and Bangladesh. Her Madagascar experience included an opportunity to work with a team of Malagasy midwives in conceptualization and delivery of a program providing health services and education for mothers with children under the age of five. This program, developed through dialogue with villagers in Madagascar, expanded to become national in scope. In Bangladesh, she was a consultant for nursing administration and nursing education at the International Center for Diarrheal Research to raise the level and quality of care offered through the Dhaka based hospital. After returning to the US, Ruth completed her Masters in Theology. Two years later, she accepted the position as nurse coordinator and then program manager of the multidisciplinary team in the Parkinson's clinic at Methodist Hospital. As this expanded to become the Struthers Parkinson's Center, Ruth became its Program Director. Because of her passion to meet the needs of many people whose lives were affected by Parkinson's disease, Ruth joined the staff of the National Parkinson Foundation in June of 2000 as National Program Director. As director, she implemented the development of Centers of Excellence using Struthers as a model. She designed a program called Allied Team Training for Parkinson's to educate health care professionals in interdisciplinary care. And she facilitated outreach to underserved communities to provide state of the art, culturally competent, interdisciplinary care in Parkinson's disease both nationally and internationally. As a speaker and writer regarding care and support of persons with Parkinson's, Ruth co-authored a book entitled Health Connect, a Practical Guide to Community Outreach. In retirement, Ruth tapped into her wild side and joined the senior rock performance group called Alive and Kickin'. Performing on stage with raucous, beloved friends gave her profound joy. Calmer days found her wrapped in her love of nature. And just beginning to dabble in rosemaling, she said it could wait to be perfected in heaven! Ruth's wife Bonnie, her children Nathan (Christy) and Michele, and grandchildren Rowan and Elizabeth deeply mourn her loss while celebrating a life well lived. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, 4201 Sheridan Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN, Saturday March 9 at 1:00 p.m. with a reception following. In honor of Ruth, memorials are graciously accepted for Grace Hospice, Struthers Parkinson's Center, or Alive and Kickin'. Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Tributes

Ruth Arlette Hagestuen

November 27, 1943 - February 23, 2024

Tributes

Ruth Arlette Hagestuen

November 27, 1943 - February 23, 2024

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