Ruth Laughlin

Ruth E. Laughlin (Nelson), 92, of Sioux Falls passed away Sunday May 23 at Avera Prince of Peace in Sioux Falls. Ruth Elisabeth Nelson (maiden name) was born on January 7, 1918 in Clearwater, Nebraska to Theodore and Grace (Ollendorf) Nelson. Ruth always enjoyed travel and not long after finishing high school in Clearwater in 1936 she decided to seek work and adventure in California. She returned to Omaha during WW2 to work at Martin’s Bomber Plant making bombs for war planes. After the war she remained in Omaha and worked at Orchard & Willhelm Furniture Store. At age 35 she married Royce Nelson from Valley, Nebraska. They farmed in Herman, NE, Loop City, NE, and Logan, IA . In 1958 they moved back to Valley, NE and in 1959 adopted their only child Ron Nelson. In 1967 she began working in the cafeteria of Valmont Industries in Valley, NE where she retired in 1983. After the passing of her first husband Royce in 1989, she married Dale Laughlin in 1995 at age 78 and soon thereafter moved to Sioux Falls, SD to be with her son Ron, his wife Elizabeth and 2 beloved granddaughters Lauren & Morgan. Ruth loved children and taught Sunday School at the United Faith Community Church in Valley, NE to toddlers for many years. She also loved to travel and ventured to Hawaii several times, went on several cruises and took many trips around the United States whenever she could. Upon the move to Sioux Falls, Ruth & Dale found an immediate home where the Lord was served at Trinity Baptist Church in Sioux Falls. She loved this church and volunteering at Sioux Falls Seminary. She stayed involved until Alzheimer’s disease slowed her down the final years. Her grandchildren Lauren & Morgan were the joys of her life and the primary reason she and Dale moved to Sioux Falls. She often told Ron & Elizabeth, while having a boy was nice, having two granddaughters and sharing their childhood years with crafts, cooking and just ‘girlie things’ was among the most special experiences she could have ever had. Ruth is survived by the love of her life, husband Dale Laughlin, sister Lois Hackel (Charles) from Ord, NE. Son and daughter-in-law Ron & Elizabeth Nelson of Sioux Falls and beautiful granddaughters Lauren & Morgan Nelson. Ruth was preceded in death by first husband Royce Nelson in 1989, sister Helen (Ed) Bridwell in 1990. Any memorials can be directed to the building fund of Trinity Baptist Church of Sioux Falls, SD

Ruth Laughlin

January 7, 1918 - May 23, 2010