Ruth Foote

Ruth K. Foote, age 90, of Yankton, South Dakota died on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton.

Funeral services are 11:00 AM, on Friday, April 5, 2024 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yankton with Reverend Steve Weispfennig officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton.   Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, on Thursday, April 4 at Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a prayer service at 7:00 PM.  Visitation continues one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Pallbearers are her grandsons: Kolby Foote, Donavan McConnell, Nathan Flanagan, Zachary Flanagan, Haiden Magnussen, and Charlie Foote. Honorary pallbearers are grandson, Dennis McConnell Jr. and her granddaughters: Kelsey Bryan, Brittan Flanagan, Katie Stacey, Hannah Magnussen, Chloe and Claire Foote.

Ruth was born April 21, 1933 in Okaton, South Dakota to Philip and Alvena (Buxcel) Eckert.  She was the 3rd of seven siblings born into this union. She grew up in Okaton where she attended country school.  After school ended, Ruth stayed on the farm and babysat and kept house for other families in the area.    Ruth then moved to Pierre, SD where she worked at Ben Franklin’s.  She met Harold Foote on a blind date and 10 months later, they were married on October 21, 1962 in Midland, SD.  After their marriage, they moved to Huron, SD where Harold received his teaching degree and they began their family.  While Ruth was focused on being a mom, she also loved to cook and could most often be found in the school cafeteria serving lunch at wherever Harolds’ teaching opportunities took them.  In addition to the school cafeteria, she also cooked in various other establishments.  In 2000, Ruth fought a battle with breast cancer and was proud of being a survivor.  In 2010, they moved to Yankton where she got to be a fulltime grandma which was by far her favorite thing to do.  She passed her love of cooking on to her grandkids at every opportunity.   There were always “grandma cookies” and pie in her freezer when you stopped by for a visit. Ruth also loved quilting and watching the birds in the backyard.  She especially enjoyed working outside in her vegetable garden which often resulted in jars and jars of pickles that were always ready to be shared.   In addition to the vegetables, there was never a shortage of flowers both inside or outside of her house.  Later in life, Ruth developed a love of sports and could usually be found watching sports on TV.  She was especially fond of cheering on the Yankton Bucks or Gazelles.   She treasured the time spent with her family and will be greatly missed. 

Ruth is survived by her five children: Kathy (Dennis) McConnell of North Platte, NE, Jeffrey (Deb) Foote of North Platte, Krista (Rod) Neugebauer of Ethan, SD, Jennifer (Scott) Magnussen of Pierce, NE and Jason (Jessie) Foote of Yankton; 13 grandchildren; five great grandchildren: Ireland, Tucker, and Jack Bryan, Sutton Foote, and Saige Martinez-Magnussen; five sisters: Helen Oldenkamp of Omaha, NE, Freda Peters of Pierre, SD, Phyllis (Lloyd) Filler of Winner, SD, Lois Quatier of Yankton and Grace (Gary) Schmitgen of Pierre; one brother, Bill Eckert of Okaton, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold Foote; grandson, Joseph Flanagan; brothers-in-law, Lloyd Oldenkamp, Olin Peters, and Roy Quatier; and sister-in-law, Donna Eckert.