Ruth Arlene Larson, 89, Minot, former longtime resident of Velva, died Wednesday, November 13, 2019 under hospice care and surrounded by her loving family in a Minot Assisted Living Care Center.

Ruth was born August 23, 1930 on the family farm in Velva Township of McHenry County to Gaylord and Mildred (Olson) McDowell. She was raised on the family farm near Velva and educated at Velva, graduating from Velva High School in 1948. She attended Minot Business College for one year and was employed as a medical secretary for Trinity Hospital for several years.

Ruth was united in marriage to Dr. Richard Larson on April 19, 1959 in Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva. They made their home in Velva throughout the years, where they raised their three children and she was employed alongside her husband at the Velva Clinic and Medical Center. Dr. Larson died on January 18, 2000. She has continued to live in Velva until recently moving to the Wellington Assisted Living Facility in Minot.
Throughout the years, Ruth was a member of Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva, where she had been baptized and confirmed and was active in Church Circle and Bible study groups. She was also a member of the Velva American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of Norway and did volunteer work at the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva. Her hobbies and interests included: crossword puzzles, traveling, reading, dominoes, playing cards, Chinese checkers with her grandchildren, along with attending Velva Aggies sporting events and Minnesota Vikings football games.

Ruth's loving family includes: children, Tamara Helgeson, Minot and Christine Larson (Jim) Fischer, Fargo; stepchildren, Leslie Gaska, Rochester, MN, Joey (Stan) Szarek, Chandler, AZ, Vicki (Lee) Reiser, West Concord, MN and Kim (Steve) Brubaken, Mora, MN; grandchildren, Julia Miller, Jared Miller, Jenna Miller, David (Krystal) Helgeson; Cassondra Helgeson (Cameron Shipman), Richard (Heathar) Trisko, Jason (Kelly) Trisko, Dustin Reiser, Amanda Brubaken, Brady (Amanda) Brubaken; great grandchildren, Clayton and Brylee Helgeson among numerous step great grandchildren, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Dr. Richard Larson; son, Steven; brother, Jerry (Lorraine) McDowell and sisters, Betty Holte and Beverly (Alan) Yuly.

Celebration of Life service: Monday, November 18, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. in Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva. ** Anyone wishing to view the service live can do so by accessing https://www.mtmsales.net/live
Interment: Velva Community Cemetery, Velva.
Visitation: Sunday, November 17th from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: are preferred to Caring Edge Hospice, Minot or Souris Valley Care Center, Velva.

Ruth Larson Flowers