Ruth Isabel Johnston

Ruth I. Johnston, age 90, of Litchfield died on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the Emmanuel Home in Litchfield. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, February, 22, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church in Litchfield with Pastor Gordon Pennertz officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment will be in the Grove lake Cemetery near Grove Lake, Minnesota in the spring. Ruth Isabel Johnston, the daughter of William J. and Mary Jane (Angus) Pritchard was born on February 15, 1921 in Abba Township, Henry County, Illinois. She grew up in Atkinson, Il where she had fond memories of swimming in the canal and going to school. She met Vern Johnston through her future sister-in-law, Grace Johnston, while working at the LaPlant-Choafe Manufacturing Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ruth married Vern in Bagley, MN on January 8, 1949. The transition from being the youngest of 7 children to a log cabin in northern Minnesota proved to be challenging. She endured many hardships while learning how to clean, bake and raise a family. In 1959, they moved to Roy Lake. Ruth stayed home and raised her three children while Vern worked away from home to support the family. She became involved at Nee-gon-nee Church at Roy Lake, teaching Sunday School, leading opening singing and Christmas Programs. Ruth never got a driver's license, but rode her bike. She was famous for her baking. Bread was baked every Wednesday and the children could smell it when they got off the school bus. She loved to read, especially her bible and had devotions every night. She was a silent warrior in spreading the gospel and setting an example for others. They moved to Litchfield in 1999 and resided at Emmaus Place. Later Ruth began showing symptoms of dementia and needed to move into Bethany for more care. After a fall she moved to Emmanuel Home and has lived there for the past seven years. Ruth is survived by her children; Jay T. Johnston of Littleton, CO, Mary Jane (and Hal) Wenaas of Litchfield and Rebecca (and Dennis) Egge of Eaton, CO, grandchildren; David and Crystal Wenaas, great grandchildren Elena and Michael Wenaas and a sister Martha Walters of Cedar Falls, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Vern in 2003. Previous Events Visitation Tuesday, February 22, 2011 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM First Presbyterian Church 225 N Holcombe Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Tuesday, February 22, 2011 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM First Presbyterian Church 225 N Holcombe Litchfield, MN 55355