Ruth Mogen

Big Stone City - Ruth Mogen, 83, died on Nov. 15, 2007, of natural causes.

There will be a private family service, as per her wishes.

Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minn., at a later time.

Emanuel-Patterson Funeral Home in Milbank, S.D., is in charge of arrangements.

Ruth was born Feb. 18, 1924, in Salem, S.D., to U.J. and Dagmar (Hansen) Norgaard. She spent most of her early years in Onida, S.D., moving to Brookings with her family when a junior in high school. She graduated from Brookings High School and South Dakota State University in Brookings in 1945 with honors. She taught Home Economics in Tyler, Minn., and Parkston, S.D.

She married Bryan Mogen, who was employed by the Department of Justice, on Jan. 25, 1948, and lived in Nashville, Tenn., the New York City area, Villa Park, Ill., Wayzata, Minn., and Aberdeen, S.D. In 1982, the family moved permanently to their present home at Rocky Point, Big Stone Lake.

Ruth was a homemaker and volunteered for many organizations including church, YWCA, AAUW, Arts Council, and PEO. She received the Sertoma Award for volunteerism in Aberdeen in 1980. Ruth and her husband traveled to all 50 states and several foreign countries. She was a beekeeper for a while; she liked playing bridge, and loved gardening and being outdoors. She really enjoyed her family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Bryan; and three daughters, Kim (Don Frankfort) Mogen, Gillette, Wyo., Myla (Bill) VanderAarde, Big Stone City, S.D., Jill Mogen, Seattle, Wash.; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one brother, Dan Norgaard and wife, Jo, Sun City, Ariz.; and many nieces and nephews, including special nephew, Dr. Mark Mogen and wife Karen, Aberdeen, S.D.

For her obituary and on-line registry, please visit: www.emanuelpatterson funeralhome.com.