Ruth Shodeen 77 year old resident of Upsala, MN died Tuesday, October 1 at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, MN. She was reunited with her loving husband, Ronald and dear son, Keith. A Memorial Mass was held on Tuesday, October 8 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Upsala, MN.
Ruth Marie (Verkennis) Shodeen was born on April 1, 1942 to Leonard and Paula (Pogatschnik) Verkennis. She graduated from Upsala High School with the class of 1960. She attended North Hennepin Community College where she received her Associates Degree in Accounting. Ruth was married to Ronald Shodeen on October 14, 1961 at St. Francis Catholic Church. They lived in Minneapolis before moving to Maple Grove in 1969. Ruth worked as an Activities Aid at the Travilla of Golden Valley. The couple moved to Upsala in 2003 to enjoy their retirement. They spent many years wintering in Lake Havu, Arizona. Ruth loved to attend bible study, sing with the church choir, play bridge and gardening. She especially enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on Pine Lake in Upsala, MN. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren.
Left to cherish her memory is her son, Matthew Shodeen; daughters, Jeanne Olerud and Amy (Christopher) Branca; grandchildren, Benjamin Olerud, Katie Olerud, Chelsea Shodeen, Nick (Kristen) Shodeen and Chad Shodeen; great-grandchildren, Sawyer Olerud and Claire Shodeen; sisters, Josephine (Norbert) Roering, Margaret Naas and Miriam (Gilbert) Stalnick.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Ronald, son, Keith Shodeen; sister, Laura Lyons and a brother, Mark Verkennis.