Ruth Elizabeth Osen

Ruth Elizabeth Osen, age 109 of Bloomington, MN, died on April 26, 2026 at Flagstone Care Center in Eden Prairie, MN. Celebration of life will be held on May 5, 2026 at 11:00 at Washburn-McReavy ,2300 Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington Funeral Chapel. Visitation one hour before service. Ruth was born on December 30, 1916 in the farm house of her parents in rural Ortonville, MN. Ruth was born during a December snowstorm. The doctor arrived the day after she was born after traveling 16 miles from town in a horse drawn sleigh. Her parents, Henry and Signe (Erickson) Nelson, were both immigrants from Sweden. Ruth was baptized and confirmed in the Eidskog Lutheran Church in rural Ortonville. She started school at age 5, at a one room school house, that was 1.5 mile walk from home. Since she knew how to read and write she was advanced to first grade. At age 13 she moved to Ortonville with her older sister so they could attend high school. They rented a room and worked for a family to pay for their room and board while attending high school. She graduated from Ortonville High School in 1934. After graduating, she attended normal school to qualify to teach in rural schools. After teaching in the rural schools, she went on to receive her teacher's certificate from St. Cloud State University. In 1945, she joined the American Red Cross. She first worked at Percy Ross Hospital, Battle Creek, Michigan, assisting wounded war veterans by writing letters and reading to them. Most of these veterans were amputees from WWII war injuries. In 1946, she went to Italy with the Red Cross to work in servicemen's clubs for 3 years. She met her future husband Dan Douglas while she was in Italy, where he was serving in the US Army. After returning from Italy, she taught school in Bird Island, MN. Dan and Ruth married on July 1, 1950. Their union was blessed with 4 children. They moved to Windom Minnesota in 1956. Ruth was a stay-at-home mother until she returned to teaching in 1967. She taught third grade in Mountain Lake, MN. While teaching, Ruth completed her Baccalaureate degree from Mankato State University. Ruth lived in Windom until 1993. She then moved to the Twin Cities area, where she remained until her death. Ruth retired from teaching in 1980. During her retirement she enjoyed spending winters in Texas, where she relished playing golf daily. Ruth played golf until the age of 98. She also enjoyed traveling throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. In later years, Ruth enjoyed reading, needlework, and spending time with family. She will be remembered for her zest for life, world travel experiences, needlepoint Christmas stockings, horticulture knowledge, and cooking Swedish pancake breakfasts Christmas morning. Preceding Ruth in death were her parents; 3 brothers, Robert, Henry, Eugene and 3 sisters Vera, Ada, and, Virginia; and husbands Daniel Douglas and Harold Osen. Ruth is survived by her 4 children; Richard (Laurie) of Hamel, MN, Thomas of Shoreline, WA, James (Cheryl) of Waconia, MN and Mary of Bloomington, MN; four grandsons Daniel of Hamel, MN, Gregory of Aberdeen SD, Steven of Fargo ND, and Jeffrey of St. Louis Park, MN.

Ruth Elizabeth Osen

December 30, 1916 - April 26, 2026

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