Ruth E. Dahlquist

Ruth Evelyn Pratt Dahlquist, 77, Moorhead, MN, passed away holding her husband's hand enroute to the emergency room, Sunday, May 14, 2017.

Born March 31, 1940, to Orlin S. and Gladys A. (Burud) Pratt, Ruth Evelyn "Ruthie" Pratt started making her mark on the world, born on her family farm just outside Ulen, MN. Ruth's first playmates were baby geese that adopted her as mother - a role she took to heart throughout her life and earned her the nickname, "the goose girl."

At the age of 4, Ruth met the first of her lifelong best friends, her cousin Sharon "Shari" K. Sundre, with whom she would spend countless hours as companions, occasional rivals and confidants. A tenacious, passionate and intelligent young woman, Ruth learned to read music before she learned to read. Although she played saxophone, bells, and made friends with any piano she sat behind, the upright Haddorff piano she was introduced to as a child would be one of her dearest and most treasured friends.

Ruth kept very active in high school as a cheerleader, musician, and academic, winning the John Philip Sousa and Betty Crocker Homemakers of Tomorrow awards as well as being named homecoming queen in the fall of 1957. Ruth married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Robert "Bob" D. Dahlquist February 22, 1958, joining him in Alameda, CA, while he was stationed with the US Navy a few months later.

Ruth said many times that above a career in music or academic pursuits, her goal in life was to be a mom with a house full of children. During their 59 year marriage, Ruth and Bob celebrated the birth of six children, raising Renai, Robert Jr. "Bob," Rochelle "Shelly," Ryan "Eric" and Rolin, and grieving the loss of an infant son who died at birth. Ruth would tutor many local children in piano, host Campfire and Cub Scouts meetings as well as teach Sunday school at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Moorhead.

At 41, Ruth became a grandmother for the first time. While she and Bob would have eight grandchildren in total, many others would adopt Ruth as "grandma" throughout her life. Whether it was going to garage sales, hosting game nights or holidays, Grandma Ruth could be found upon arrival sitting at the kitchen table with one leg tucked under her doing a crossword, writing stories, or devouring another book. The coffee pot was always on and the cookie jar always full to welcome any visitors except between 5 and 6 pm, at which time you could join in shouting out answers to Jeopardy or entertain yourself until Final Jeopardy was over.

Strong in her faith and sense of community, Ruth remained active at Our Savior's as long as she was able as a " church lady" as well as playing bells and bringing communion to parishioners who were unable to attend services. Ruth would also keep herself busy in retirement making prayer shawls, baby blankets and afghans for friends and family, and working on family history. Ruth had just begun making friends with her neighbors and staff at Rosewood on Broadway, integrating herself into that community.

She is survived by her loving husband, Bob; her children, Renai (Brent) Ehrichs, Robert (Laurie) Dahlquist, Shelly (Joel) Powell Dahlquist, Eric (Linda) Dahlquist, and Rolin (Jenn) Dahlquist; cousin, Sharon K. Sundre (Audrey Buss); grandchildren, Heather, Benjamen, Matthew, Julian, Chelsea, Keely, Dennis, and Alexa; as well as her former piano and Sunday school students, and so many friends.

Visitation for Ruth will begin at 1 PM, followed by her funeral at 2 PM, Friday, May 19, 2017, in Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Moorhead.