Ruth A. Carlson, age 99, Ada, MN, died on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Ada, MN.
Ruth was born on November 1, 1926 to George and Marie (Gilbertson) Sundseth, Halstad, MN. She was raised on the farm and educated in a country school in Halstad Township. She graduated in 1943 from Halstad High School. She worked as a secretary for the REA in Halstad and for the Armour Company in St. Paul, MN before being united in marriage to Burdeen (Buddy) Carlson in Ulen in 1946.
Ruth and Buddy farmed in Halstad Township and were firsthand witnesses to major changes. They didn’t have electricity or running water to the house when they were first married. A beloved team of horses, May & June, worked the fields with Buddy those first years. Time surely changed the ways they did things, and we were amazed at their ability to adapt. They were active members of East Marsh River Lutheran Church and loved their Anthony township neighborhood. Ruth was a full-time homemaker and often a hostess to family and friends who visited their place on the corner close to the church and the Anthony Store.
Ruth loved gardening and experimenting with new gardening methods – and especially planting trees! She played piano by ear and learned to read music by herself. Quilting became a passion in her later years. They enjoyed several winters in New Braunfels, TX.
Ruth and Buddy moved to Ada in 1995 and became members of Grace Lutheran Church. Ruth was an active member in several civic organizations, including the Norman County Historical Society. She loved genealogy and had a special gift of memory of the people she met and the families they came from. She treasured her trip to Norway in 2010 to visit the farmstead of her father’s birth.
In 2013 Ruth, age 86, was one of the first residents to move into the new Benedictine Assisted-Living Facility, Mission Court. She was so grateful for all the friends and family that came to visit her daily. One of the greatest compliments extended to her came from her physician who repaired her broken leg at age 98. After asking the doctor why she was still on this earth, he said: “Ruth, you have the gift of conversation.”
Ruth is survived by her children, Thomas Carlson (Yvonne Horge), Halstad, MN and Judith Thompsen (Harold), Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Shane Carlson (Deb Halvorson), Brock Carlson (Val Hansen), Trevor Carlson, Courtney Haug (Tim), Kathryn VanderArk (David), John Thompsen, and Laura Krueger (Aaron); 16 great grandchildren, Jacob, Cody, Austin, Bailey, Lexie, Savanna, Tucker, Lillian, Sophia, Amelia, Kyja, Archer, Lane, Anders, Jonas and Greta; 3 great-great grandchildren, Olive, Mataya and Jett; and one brother, Joris (JD) Sundseth, Yakima, WA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bud; a son, baby boy Andrew; parents, George & Marie; and siblings, Irvin, Clark, Merlin, Irene, Douglas and Marlys.
In the last week of her life on earth, Ruth wrote these words on the back of her daily devotional book: “Safe in the arms of Jesus.” Her wish to be united with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was granted on April 24.
Funeral Service: 11:00 AM, Friday, May 1, 2026 at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.
Visitation: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Home, Ada, MN.
Interment: East Marsh River Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Halstad, MN.
