Ruth Ione Ellis, 86, Sturgis, died Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at her residence in Sturgis.

Visitation will be 8 a.m to 9 p.m. on Monday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor David Baer officiating. Burial will be at the Mountain Lawn Cemetery near Lead.

A memorial has been established to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Ruth was born May 23, 1922, at Waubay, SD, to Otto and Minnie (Larson) Holzerland. She graduated from high school at Waubay in 1939 with honors at the age of 16.

She married Earl North in October of 1939. To this union 4 children were born.

She and her husband farmed in Waubay until 1952 when they moved to Lead, SD. Ruth was a sales associate at Prouse's Grocery in Lead for many years until she moved to Sturgis in 1976.

Ruth married Lowell Ellis at Lead, SD, on June 12, 1982. They made their home in Sturgis.

Ruth loved to dance and shop. Her best days were spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Lead.

Survivors include her son Jerry (Norma) North, Clayton, CA; daughters, Janice (David) Mikkelson, Whitewood, Barbara (Larry) Ulferts, Montevideo, MN; also 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, and one son Ronnie North.