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Ruth Knelman Obituary
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Ruth's zest for life and desire to always look forward to the future kept her young. Until the very end she lived independently with a mind and body that allowed her to enjoy all the fruits of life until very recent times, with her phone ringing often for everything from coffee dates to bridge club; if you needed an opinion on the newest, trendiest restaurants in the city, Ruth had probably been, with a review to share.
Ruth spent her first years living in Hudson Bay Junction, Saskatchewan before moving with her family to Winnipeg, Manitoba. She married Edward Knelman in Winnipeg and they eventually moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota. In the early 1950's they moved to Minneapolis, her beloved home since then.
"Grandma Ruth," lives on in the hearts of so many, "and how!"... to use her words. She was deeply involved with her community and has long volunteered at local organizations including at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Hadassah, and over 30 years at Jefferson Community School and Temple Israel early childhood center. Ruth was a fixture at Temple Israel for 70 years. It was there that she got to meet multiple generations of families who in many cases became close friends. She brought many people together to share special moments around her table and led cooking classes (though she is adamant to be remembered for more than her – very excellent – matzo ball soup). Ruth could never say enough about her dear friends who sustained her through the years and motivated her love of life.
Funeral service WEDNESDAY, May 18, 2022 at 11:00am, TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2323 Fremont Ave. S., Mpls. Shiva Wednesday, 7:00pm, Temple Israel. Masks required in-person. Services also available via zoom, email [email protected] for the link. Memorials preferred to the Knelman Family Endowment Fund at Temple Israel.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Lisa Thompson
May 18, 2022
I´m so sad to hear Grandma Ruth passed away and heard too late to attend the service and pay my respects. She was a loving, giving, generous and powerful woman who lived to nearly 112 years old. She was a constant figure in my kid´s schools and made them feel special with her kind words. A few times I visited her home to chat and brought her to the grocery store. She was absolutely a hoot. She had a bit of whiskey every night and said it kept her young. That and her satisfaction in helping in the community and the good she did for the children who live here. The schedule and commitment gave her purpose, which she said also kept her young. She had many stories and experiences she shared with me and I´m so grateful my kids and I were blessed to know her. Rest In Peace Grandma Ruth and know that you made a difference and were loved by so many people.
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Teri Isner (Johnson)
May 18, 2022
Teri Isner (Johnson)
May 18, 2022
What a beautiful service sharing Ruth´s wonderful talents and amazing accomplishments. The stories were inspiring.
She deserved the 112th birthday and would surely get 112 cards!
Losing "mom" is deeply sad, but you will have her smiling, joyful, positive spirit and those precious memories.
She was so proud of you Kip and I will always cherish our families friendship. Our moms, and all of the stories she would share about you, your family, where you were, and how well you were doing.. A special memory was when you came to my moms viewing. I asked her if she wanted to see mom that she looked good. Her reply was no . She would remember her as a friend having said goodby to so many over the years. Remarkable she was and how blessed you were to to be her son.
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126 E Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404
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