Ruth Irene (Thorsen) Schuster

May 5, 1930 ~ March 18, 2020

Ruth I. Schuster, 89, formerly Valley Springs, passed into the arms of our Lord on March 18, 2020, in Rochester, MN.

A private funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 24, 2020, and burial will follow in Pleasant View Cemetery, Valley Springs.  Due to the ongoing virus crises, No Public Viewing or Services are planned at this time.  Any Sympathy cards or condolences for the family of Ruth, can be mailed to Heartland Funeral Home, PO Box 451, Brandon, SD 57005.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Alzheimer’s Association                     Arthritis Foundation
www.alz.org                                       www.arthritis.org

Ruth Irene Thorson was born May 5, 1930 in Canton, SD to Karl and Johanne (Ingebretsen) Thorsen, the only sibling to be born in the US, her parents and brothers emigrating from Norway. Ruth and her three brothers grew up on a farm outside Canton, speaking mostly Norwegian and very little English, when she began grammar school. Ruth graduated from Canton High School in 1947, and married Thomas William Schuster on February 10, 1951.

The couple started their family in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she worked at JCPenney.  The first three of her four sons (Thomas, Robert and Daniel) were born in Denver Colorado. Then, in 1960, the family moved to Valley Springs, South Dakota, where they purchased Schuster’s Market from William and Frieda Schuster. Ruth’s fourth son, Samuel, was born in Sioux Falls in 1961. Tom and Ruth operated Schuster’s Market while Ruth also attended beautician school. They opened the Clip & Curl beauty salon after Ruth received her license in cosmetology. Ruth sold Princess House crystal and china on nights and weekends, and her holiday place settings were her pride and joy. They were active in their community and in the Lutheran Church.

Eventually, Tom’s health challenges precipitated a final relocation to Arizona with their 3 youngest sons in 1975. Ruth then worked for American Express, became a Realtor, was a member of the Sons of Norway and dabbled in various retail endeavors until retirement.

Ruth was vivacious, energetic and the life of the party. She will be sadly missed by her four sons, Thomas (Barbara) Schuster, Valley Springs, SD, Robert (Patricia) Schuster, Phoenix, AZ, Daniel (Tonya) Schuster, Rochester, MN, and Samuel (Heidi) Schuster, Phoenix, AZ; eleven grandchildren, Thomas Schuster, Matthew Schuster, Douglas Schuster, Ryan Schuster, Bethany Nandy, Emily Schuster, Jeffrey Schuster, William Schuster, Jennifer Schuster, Jessica Khan, Stephanie Lee; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, and three brothers, Engolf, Od, and Carold Thorsen.

Share this post:
Comments
  • Howard Smedsrud says:

    To the family of Ruth Schuster, I’m sorry to see that your beloved mother has moved on to a new journey of life,please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time, RIP Mrs.Ruth Schuster

  • Kevin Gunderson says:

    So sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. May you find peace knowing she’s now with our Heavenly Father. She was a very kind and wonderful person and will be missed by many. We lost our mom November 1st and know it’s hard to say goodbye to someone so special. You are all in our thoughts and prayers may God see you through this.

  • Cynthia Carrington (Larson) says:

    Tom Robert Daniel Sam
    So Sorry to read about your mother , She is at peace now and with her loved ones, I have so many fond memories of her, You all cherish those special memories of her and hold them close to your heart that no one can take from you and share the stories as she would want you too. God bless all of you.

  • Faye Roach says:

    Schuster Family,
    Sorry to hear of your loss, you have my sympathy. You can now rest knowing she is at peace in Gods hands and is in a greater place. God Bless you and Take Care.

Leave a Reply to Howard Smedsrud Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

Archives