Ruth Lukes

Ruth L. Lukes, 93, Bellefonte, Pa., formerly of North Dakota, died Jan. 31, 2004, in a Bellefonte nursing home. Services were held Feb. 3 at Koch Funeral Home, State College, Pa., with the Rev. Dr. Charles J. Curley officiating. Burial will be in Turtle Lake Cemetery.

She was born May 20, 1910, in Turtle Lake, N.D., the daughter of the late Jacob and Pauline Hanson Haas. On May 30, 1935, she married Fred G. Lukes, who died Jan. 1, 1964. She graduated from Valley City Normal in Valley City. She was an elementary school teacher for the North Dakota Public Schools.

She was a member of the State College Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by a daughter, Sharon Mortensen and her husband, Jim, State College; a son, Robert W. Lukes and his wife, Terrie, Trout Creek, Mont.; three sisters, Viola Seeger, Turtle Lake, Donna Bilquist, Williston and Jean Duncan, Billings, Mont.; five grandchildren, Mark Mortensen, Jon Mortensen, Chris Mortensen and his wife, Missy, Sue Riley and her daughter, Monika, and Tom Lukes and his wife, Julie, and his son, Mitchell; and many dear friends and relatives.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Frederick Duane Lukes on Jan. 25, 1937; and two brothers, Donald Hanson and Albert Haas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the State College Presbyterian Church, Visitation Deacon's Fund, 132 W. College Ave., State College, PA 16801.