Ruth Elizabeth Clarkson

Tammy, Herbie, Meryl: Just now reading the Sunday paper; so sorry to see the sad news about your mom. What a gal! When I think back on both her and your dad, I see two people who loved to laugh and when they did always had a twinkle in their eye! She used to scare me sometimes though, ruling with an iron fist, but then she'd keep one of the kitchen drawers FULL of cookies and candy!! What a great time we had on Cherokee Street!! Will be remembering each of you in my prayers. I hope your memories give you strength. Always your friend, Terry Eades Woodfin

So sorry to hear about Aunt Ruth's passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers. The thirteenth sibling of the Carlson Clan has arrived in the promised land. I can hear the laughing,smell the coffee,see the sugar lumps being dunked.Grandma Carlson probably made buns, bread and rolls for her coming. or maybe they have those funny looking rollingpins out making flatbread AH I can almost taste it. Great Uncle Erik or Nels may be weaving one of their tales from long long ago when the world was a different place The Carlson family is an extraordinary group ,I have been so blessed to have been a part of that and so blessed to have known Ruth. Celebrate her life


Paul Swanson ( Henderson, KY)

Prayers are with you all!!!!!

I am sorry to hear of Aunt Ruth's passing. It is the end of the Otto and Christina Carlson era. I have fond memories of Aunt Ruth and the Texas cousins coming to Grandma Carlson's to visit...and of Mom being excited to have the sisters together. Maybe it was because they could all practice their Swedish to keep the kids from knowing what they were talking about! Yes, and you Southern cousins fascinated your Yankee cousins with "you all" and other southern phrases. The huge Texas checkers game you left at Grandma Carlson's was played with and fought over long after you left! And who can forget your Dad's blustering when he arrived in northern Minn. in a snow storm for Grandma Carlson's funeral and ended up spending time at Otto Anderson's farm on the s curve by Stephen as the road was blown shut with snow. They had to wait for the snowplow to come clean it out before they could continue to the farm. I can still see your Mom in our kitchen ironing a huge stack of clothes (I don't think there ever was a small stack of anything at our house) when she came to visit as she never was just a guest there to drink coffee and chit chat. She worried about letting Tamera go with Cooky to the dance in Florian! She remembered it as a sinful place just full of Catholics who drank way too much beer and acted silly. It was a joy to visit with her when we came several summers ago...partly because Aunt Ruth reminded me so much of my own Mom....the Carlson sisters were all more the same than different. It is hard to let go of a parent so our thoughts and prayers are with you. We rejoice she is in the hands of The Lord.