Ruth Gramstad Barfuss, 93, Winner Long Term Care, Winner, SD died Friday, December 27, 2024 at the Long Term Care.  She was a previous 65 year resident of Leonard, ND

Ruth was born August 31, 1931 to Leonard and Olga (Estenson) Gramstad in Climax, MN.  She was baptized at her home on September 6, 1931.

At the beginning of Ruth's junior year in high school, she answered a newspaper ad to go to ND to work as a hired girl. Her employers took her to St. Peter Lutheran Church in rural Leonard where she was introduced to her future husband, Lawrence Barfuss.  Ruth and Lawrence were married on November 12, 1950 at the home of Ruth's Uncle Knute Gramstad in Climax, MN

Following the wedding, Ruth and Lawrence moved to the farm in Leonard where she worked alongside the men in the field, helped cook meals, baked buns, and caramel rolls.  She enjoyed the outdoors, had some large gardens, mowed lawns, and did tilling for friends after moving into Leonard. She provided child care to Mike and Vickie's children, crocheted, and was a member of the ladies' circle at St. Peter.

Due to ill health, Ruth moved to Winner, SD in February, 2014 between snow storms.  The only belongings she took, were what fit into Mike's Yukon.

Ruth and Lawrence had three children: Laurel Olson, Watford City, ND; Michael and Vickie (Heid) Barfuss, Winner, SD; and Lynn, deceased.

Ruth's grandchildren and great grandchildren include Heidi Barfuss (Wes) Haney, Le Center, MN; Jon and Haley (Jorgensen) Barfuss, Winner, SD; Karl and Amanda (Sage) Barfuss, Jonesboro, AR.  Jon's children are Aiden, Lillian, and Lidia.  Karl's children are Lincoln, Norah, Liam.

Ruth was preceded in death by a son; husband; parents; and siblings Doris (Julian Morris) Hegland; Lemar and Vesta (Wertz); Glenn and Mercedes (Pratt) Gramstad.

Visitation: 5-7 PM Thursday, January 2, 2025 at the West Funeral Home in West Fargo, ND and 1 hour before funeral services (9:00 AM)

Funeral: Friday, January 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM

Burial: Friday, January 3, 2025 following the service – at Watson Cemetery, rural Leonard, ND

The church ladies will be serving lunch.