Ruth Carpenter
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On May 15, 2014 @ 8:16 pm In 2014,Obituaries | 3 Comments
Ruth Kjelland Carpenter
A long-time resident of Prior Lake, Ruth Kjelland Carpenter, age 101, passed away peacefully early Thursday afternoon, May 15, 2014, at Priscilla’s Place in Richfield, Minnesota. Ruth was born January 8, 1913, in Valley City, North Dakota, to parents Olaf and Hulda Andrea (Haneberg) Kjelland.
Ruth grew up on a farm in Green Township, with siblings Vibekka (Ed) Hummel, Sigrid (Willard) Flynn, Christian, Oscar, Agnes (Don) Brooks and a long list of first cousins, uncles and aunts. Her school years were spent at Green Consolidated School and during the high school years, Ruth was named to the All-County Girls Basketball Team. She attended Valley City State Normal School in the 1930s, where Ruth earned a teacher certification. She taught in one-room schools in rural North Dakota, before returning to teach high school at Green School.
Ruth met Gayle K. Carpenter in Siren, Wisconsin, and on August 1, 1941, they exchanged wedding vows in Pine City, Minnesota. Ruth and Gayle were blessed with four children: Larry, Leslie, Lowell and Andrea. In 1946, they moved the family to Prior Lake from St. Paul. From 1956 until she retired in 1971, Ruth taught grades 5 and 6 in the Prior Lake School District. She and Gayle spent 18 winters in Florida, mostly in Pinellas Park, where they enjoyed their time square dancing and playing cards with many friends. Ruth’s beloved husband Gayle passed on November 4, 1991, and in 1994, she moved to Fergus Falls to be closer to family. Until that time, Ruth was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Prior Lake.
Left to honor Ruth’s life and mourn her death are her sons, Larry Carpenter (Judith Taylor) of Minneapolis, MN, Les (Jo) Carpenter of Plains, MT, Lowell (Judy) Carpenter of Fergus Falls, MN; daughter, Andrea Moen (Chris Berger) of Willowbrook, IL; and ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She will be remembered by many friends, relatives and former students for her kind heart, her accepting attitude and her strong spirit, whatever her circumstances.
Ruth is preceded in death by husband Gayle; daughter-in-law, Gracie Carpenter and son-in-law, Tom Moen.
A memorial gathering will be held on Monday, June 16, 2014, from 10 am – 12 pm (noon)at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant Street Avenue SE, in Prior Lake, MN.
Memorials are preferred and will be distributed by Ruth’s family.
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I just wanted to say what a wonderful teacher she was to me. I’m 64 now, and the only teachers that I remember that actually help me were Mrs Carpenter and Mrs Slavic, my 5th and 6th grade teachers respectively. My 4th grade teacher, Mrs Field treated me so badly in 4th grade that I hardly ever spoke or looked up from the ground by the time the school year was up. Mrs Carpenter and Mrs Slavic noticed, and between them they went to the administration and specifically asked that I be placed in their classrooms, as I was later told by my mom who had no idea what Mrs Field was treating me like. These 2 teachers changed how I felt about school. I’m sorry I never followed up when she was alive. She was a great teacher to me.
I’m sorry for the loss of your mother. What s great long life. I have fond memories of Mrs. Carpenter as my 5th grade teacher in the “new” Westwood Elementary. I remember being in her class on November 22, 1963 when we learned that JFK had been shot in Dallas, Texas. I remember high expectations & lots of learning from 5th grade. I recently retired from teaching 2nd grade. Mrs. Carpenter and a couple of other elementary teachers inspired me to teach. Be proud of her legacy!
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Lowell
What a blessing to have had your wonderful mother with you for so many years! I was always glad that I had your mom for a teacher. During my 33 years of teaching I remembered the high standards she set. My condolences to you and your family. May God bless your heart with thankfulness for the life of your mom.