Ruth Marilyn Lerohl
“Only a life lived for others is a life worth living.” Ruth Marilyn Ness, born to Olaf and Agnes (Fjone) Ness, March 13, 1934, had lived such a worthy life. Her almost 82 years of life had been spent serving, comforting, and loving those around her. On Thursday, March 10, 2016, she peacefully crossed the bridge from this life into eternity at a Hot Springs, Ark., hospital where she said her “good-byes” to loved ones.
A memorial service was held Tuesday, March 22, at the Caruth Funeral Home, with Brother Mike Breakbill, lay pastor at Potter’s Clay ministry, officiating. Interment will be in the Hot Springs Village cemetery in Arkansas, where their son, Andrew, who died 10-28-2014, is buried.
Ruth graduated from Lake Mills High School with the Class of 1952. After graduation, she was hired by the Lake Mills School to work as Supt. William Young’s secretary. Later, she attended St. Olaf College, where she met her future husband, Alden Lerohl, from Sacred Heart, Minn.
The couple was married at Winnebago Lutheran Church, where Ruth had been baptized and confirmed. They became parents of two sons, Andrew and John.
Together, the couple dedicated over 50 years of faithful ministry in various locations of Lutheran churches. They had been given a sense of adventure, smiles on their lips, and joy and gratitude in their hearts, for having been given the privilege of serving the Lord in this manner. After the Rev. Lerohl’s retirement from pastoral ministry, they moved to Hot Springs, Ark., a retirement community, where they lived until the present.
Ruth continued to be the hands and fee of Jesus, as she committed countless hours ministering to troubled and abused women at the Potter’s Clay Ministery, Hot Springs, Ark., where she shared her faith by teaching Bible studies and offering much love, comfort, and encouragement to women who had been brough there for rehabilitation.
She is succeeded in life by her dear husband, the Rev. Alden Lerohl; son and wife, John and Stephanie Lerohl, Grapvine, Texas; sister, Elaine, and husband, Donald Bergan, Lake Mills; precious grandchildren and spouses: Elizabeth and Clay Duval, David and Kelsey Lerohl, Rebecca and Ryan Tavister, and Ross Lerohl; brothers-in-law: Howard, and Robert (Helen) Lerohl; sister-in-law, Gayle McMullen; step-brother-in-law, the Rev. Wayne Halvorson; and step-sister-in-law, Ruth Vermedal; and nieces, nephews, and friends.
Ruth looked forward to being reunited with loved ones such as her parents, Olaf and Agnes Ness; son, Andrew; brother, Marvin Ness; stepmother, Ida Vermedal Ness, parents-in-law, Alex and Emma Lerohl; sister-in-law, Diane Lerohl; stepsister, Lois Halvorson; and stepbrother, Clair Vermedahl.