Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
Florence “Ruth” Johnson
Ruth Johnson passed away peacefully on January 26, 2023, at West Florida Hospital in Pensacola, FL, with family at her side.
Ruth was 95 years old and born on August 28, 1927, on the family farm near Sykeston, ND, where the family had recently moved from southern Illinois to go into farming. Her parents were James and Marie (Parkhill) Watson.
She attended the Hebron Consolidated Country School in Hawksnest Township and graduated from Carrington High School in 1945. She graduated from NDSU in 1949 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics. She later taught in Devils Lake, Carrington Elementary School, and Carrington High School.
On June 17, 1951, Ruth married Dr. Keith D. Beck who was a dental student at Northwestern University School of Dentistry in Chicago, IL. Upon graduating, Keith and Ruth moved to Carrington, ND, where he established his dental practice.
Their three children: Kathy, Tom, and John, grew up in Carrington surrounded by family and friends. Keith died after a short illness on July 22, 1966, leaving a widow with three young children. She did a remarkable job, and we are forever grateful for her strength and love.
On July 10, 1972, Ruth married Magnus (Mike) Johnson, and they enjoyed traveling, staying active in the community, and spending time with family. They were long time Trinity Lutheran Church members, sang in the choir, and could be counted on to be in church every Sunday.
Ruth became an expert quilter. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and embroidery projects, and problem-solving. She loved the mental challenge of doing daily crossword puzzles. She was a good listener to her friends and family, and had a very kind heart.
After Mike died in 2014, Ruth moved to Rochester, MN, in 2015 to be close to her daughter Kathy. She wasn’t done traveling though. In 2019 she moved to Pensacola, Florida to be close to her son Tom and his wife Jackie. She enjoyed the sunny Florida winters.
Ruth is survived by her three children Kathy (John) Rueter of Rochester, MN, Tom (Jackie) Beck of Milton, FL, and Dr. John (Brenda) Beck of Minneapolis, MN; her grandchildren are Chris (Krisi) Beck, Tim Beck, Carl (Lisa) Bommersbach, Erik Bommersbach, Michelle (Shawn) Fagan, Robert Rueter, Haley, Shannon, and Rachel Beck; her great-grandchildren are Cora, Avery, and Cade Bommersbach, Lucas and Jonas Fagan; her many nieces and nephews were very special to her.
Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Alice (Jim) Schwab, Mary (John) Halvorson, Betty Mae (Joe) Holzer, and Dorothy Folkert, her brothers James (Betty Jane) Watson, Kenneth (Frieda) Watson, and Charles (Mary Ann) Watson.
Any memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church in Carrington, ND.
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My condolences and prayers to Ruth family. She was a delightful lady. May the wonderful memories help you through this difficult time.
Ruth was a lovely personable lady. When my Mother and I would visit with her she was always so pleasant. Sympathy to her family.
Our thoughts and prayers to Ruth’s family. She was a wonderful teacher and friend as we exchanged cards for many years to keep in touch. Mike will welcome you with open arms. Rest in peace Ruth. You will be missed
Ruth was a very sweet lady . We will miss her sweet smile and her easygoing manner. Very warm , kind person.
I missed our visits whenever I saw her while living in Carrington. She was a very kind lady.
Sad to hear of Ruth’s passing my thoughts and prayers go out to you Kathy, Tom, John and families. She was such a friendly person always listening, caring for others.
My condolences. She was a very kind and sweet person.
Being friends with Tom and Kathy I remember Ruth was so welcoming to me after school and before sporting events. She was gracious, kind and loved her children. Blessings to her family and peace.
Ruth was a very special person in my life. From catching a monster fish off the dock at the Red Willow cabin when I was six to being a wonderful teacher during my teenage years. Her kindness and warmth will be missed
Kathy, Tom, and John:
My condolences. Your mother was such a sweet, wonderful neighbor.
Ruth was my aunt Vivian Sheets very good friend. As couples they did so much together. Ruth was such a good lady she will be remembered for a long time. Sympathy and prayers to her family.
Ruth was a very friendly person. The first time that I met Ruth, her first impression made me felt free and we started a conversation. can you imagine Ruth at age 93 years old then. Ruth was able to calculate her friends ages just with pen and paper without a calculator. I was very impressed and became more closer to her. She was like a mother to me and I really loved her dearly. Beloved Ruth, may your body, spirit and soul be received in heaven gloriously and may your gentle soul rest in perfect peace with the lord almighty. May all your sins be forgiven in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ our lord and savior I prayed 🙏
Also, I commit Kathy, John and their entire families in the hands and blood of Jesus Christ. May the lord almighty give you all a concrite spirit and fix your broken heart Amen.
Kathy, Tom, and John: I’m so sad to hear of your mom’s passing. It was always good to have her as a neighbor, even when we broke the garage door window playing basketball. Over the years when I would return to Carrington it was always good to bump into her in town. She was way funnier than I gave her credit for as a kid.
She was a great lady and certain was loved by many.
Kathy, Tom, and John: My condolences in the loss of your mom. She was such a sweetheart. I remember having many enjoyable conversations with her over the years.
My deepest sympathy. Ruth was my cousin. She was a lovely, gracious lady. I was quite a bit younger than my cousins, but I always remember visiting Ruth and Keith in Carrington. I remember Keith also, he was my dentist! I loved their house. It was so warm and welcoming. I remember going to Ruth and Keith’s wedding, I was about 5 years old. I choked on a peanut and Keith held me upside down and and wacked my back until the peanut was dislodged! I have their wedding picture on my wall filled with relatives. They made a very handsome couple.
God bless and keep Ruth. May the angels carry her to paradise.
Kathy, Tom, and John,
There are people in this world who make a lasting impression on us. Your mom was such a person to me. Although I didn’t know her well, I can still hear her voice and picture her smile. She is as young today in my mind as she was back in the 60’s/70’s. We cannot be sad for her, having lived such a full and wonderful life, but we can certainly be sad for ourselves in losing our physical connection with our mom. I pray for your comfort and wonderful memories. Love, Muriel