Ruth Warehime, age 88, of the Villages of North Branch and formerly of South Minneapolis, died March 10, 2010 at the Villages. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Saturday, March 13th at the Sunrise Chapel at the Villages of North Branchwith Rev. Harry Stephenson officiating. A visitation will be held 1/2 hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Isanti Union Cemetery.
Ruth Marylyn Satre Warehime, resident of the Villages of North Branch, went home to her Heavenly Father on March 10, 2010, surrounded by her family.
The youngest of three daughters, Ruth was born on November 23, 1921 to Christopher and Emily Satre. Ruth grew up in South East Minneapolis. Ruth loved spending summers at lake, near McGregor MN, where she kept the tradition by spending summers there with her own children and granddaughters. Ruth graduated from Vocational High School with honors, in 1939.
Ruth worked as a secretary and book keeper for various businesses, three of which included Bloomington Community State Bank, Bloomington Linoleum and Tile, and lastly, for her husband’s business, Midwest Lapping.
Ruth was united in marriage to James E. Warehime on February 23, 1946. They had two children, Jim and Cheryl. Ruth loved being a mother. Ruth always talked about what a good boy Jim was. They shared the same sense of humor, a love of snowmobiling, and playing cards– especially cribbage and poker. While Jim was overseas in Vietnam, Ruth took a chance and sent him his favorite apple pie, carefully frozen and packaged. The apple pie arrived in one piece, ready for Jim to enjoy on his birthday.
Two and half years after Jim was born, Ruth was thrilled to give birth to a baby girl she named Cheryl. Ruth had always wanted a girl to dress up in pretty frilly outfits, with bows in her hair. But to Ruth’s dismay, Cheryl would always untie the dresses, pull the bows out of her hair, and unbuckle her Mary Jane shoes. Ruth and Cheryl were very close and shared many wonderful experiences such as traveling to Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, Lake Tahoe, and Washington DC. They also shared a love and appreciation of music, dancing, antiques and good books. Last but not least, they shared a love of babies and children.
Ruth was present in the birthing room when granddaughter Danielle was born. Ruth stayed with Cheryl and family for the first 3 months, enjoying her baby granddaughter. Three years later, her 2nd granddaughter Laura was born. Ruth would spend hours taping Danielle and Laura singing and playing the piano, taking many pictures of them, some with their heads cut off–oops! Ruth never missed their birthday parties. She also taught them how play cribbage and blackjack, card games they still enjoy today. But most of all, Ruth loved them unconditionally.
Luke, Ruth’s great grandson, son of Danielle, started visiting Ruth when only a few weeks old and continued to visit her almost weekly for the next 3 years until her death. As time passed, family watched, as Luke and great grandma’s lives intersected. Simultaneously they both used walkers and as Luke outgrew the need for a walker, great grandma needed the use of a wheel chair. Luke loved sitting on great grandma’s lap, as they would get pushed down the hall in her wheel chair. Family also watched as Luke progressed to pureed food at the same time Ruth’s diet changed to pureed food. Again, Luke would sit on Great grandma’s lap, sharing grandma’s food–one spoonful for grandma and two for himself. And as grandma became quieter, Luke made up for it as his vocabulary increased and he kept great grandma, family, residents and nursing home staff entertained.
The Villages of North Branch staff will remember Ruth for her smiles, especially when family came to visit, her kind and gentle spirit, and her love of music and bingo. We will all remember Ruth for her love of life; her laughter, her kindness and her concerns for others.
Ruth was preceded in death by parents Chris and Emily Satre, former husband Jim Warehime, nephew Richard Hart, great nephew Scott Tuma, and nephew in law, Andy Skaj.
Ruth is survived by son Jim (Kathy) Warehime, daughter Cheryl Johnson, 4 grandchild, 3 great grandchildren, sisters Dolores Dale and Lorraine Hart, and nieces and nephew. Ruth will be especially missed by daughter Cheryl, granddaughters Danielle and Laura, great grandson Luke, and nieces Shirley Tuma and Mary Skaj.
Cheryl and family would like to thank staff at the Villages of North Branch for the care they gave Ruth, and their thoughts and prayers. Also thank you to Fairview Hospice as they supported Ruth and her family.
Ginny Gearhart Wallace says
Cheryl and Family,
This obituary of your mom tells it all. I have so many FOND memories of her in McGregor, too many to print here. You have lost a wonderful mom and grandmother and Friend. PLEASE accept my sincere sympathy and prayers. There is a real group of them watching over us from Heaven…all talking about the fun times on Lake Minnewawa, whether it be in boats or on snowmobiles.
All my love, Ginny