Ruth Drinkerd, age 99, of Onamia and formerly of Oak Grove died January 12, 2011 at Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at Long Lake Lutheran Church in Isanti with Rev. Matt Flom officiating. A visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Long Lake Community Cemetery.
Ruth Barbara Drinkerd was born January 27, 1911 in Aitkin to Robert and Blanche (Perkins) White. She was raised in Aitkin County and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School, Class of 1928. Ruth married Walter Hand in 1929 and they made their home in Aitkin and later in Ponsford. They would become the parents of 5 children. Ruth moved to Hibbing in 1955. In 1956 she married John Drinkerd and they made their home on the Iron Range. In 1977 they moved to Park Rapids and in 1984 they moved to St. Francis. Ruth was an active member of Long Lake Lutheran Church in rural Isanti where she started a quilting group, helped serve lunches and was a willing servant helping where ever she was needed. Ruth was a seamstress and took in sewing for many. She had an upholstery shop in Pengilly for 15 years. She enjoyed gardening, canning and raising food for the family. Ruth was a jack of all trades and mastered many. Ruth’s husband John died in 1995. She lived in Elk River for 12 years before moving to Onamia in 2008.
Ruth (Hand) Drinkerd died January 12, 2011 at the Mille Lacs Health System Hospital in Onamia at the age of 99 years, 11 months and 16 days. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husbands, Walter Hand and John Drinkerd; 3 sisters; 1 grandson, Kelly Hand and a great-grandson, Jordan Hand.
Ruth is survived by 5 children, Robert (Marie) Hand of Osage, Russel Hand of Sebeka, Richard (Irene) Hand of St. Francis, Ruth (Stan) Parvey of Garrison, Ray (Kathy) Hand of Cushing; 1 step-son, Bill (Kathy) Drinkerd and family of Siren, Wisconsin; 18 grandchildren, Paul Hand, John Hand, Mary Hand, Brenda (John) Mason, Dawn Cedarbloom, Mike Hand, Jeri Sullinger, Casey Hand, Barbara (Frank) Matthews, Pat (Jill) Hand, Donald Hand, Gwen (Paul) Redhead, DuWayne (Sherrie) Hand, Doug (Ann) Parvey, Patricia (Dave) Nypower, Dale (Kim) Parvey, Tanya (Tim) Bluhm, Eric Hand; 33 great-grandchildren; 28 great-great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Irene Beaulieu of Lake City; and by many other relatives and friends.