Ruth Mogen, 83, died on Nov. 15, 2007, of natural causes. There will be a private family service, as per her wishes. Interment will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN at a later time.
Ruth was born Feb. 18, 1924 in Salem, S.D. to U.J. and Dagmar (Hansen) Norgaard. She spent most of her early years in Onida, S.D., moving to Brookings with her family when a junior in high school. She graduated from Brookings High School and South Dakota State University in Brookings, in 1945 with honors. She taught Home Economics in Tyler, MN. and Parkston, S.D. She married Bryan Mogen who was employed by the Department of Justice, on Jan. 25, 1948 and lived in Nashville, Tn., the New York City area, Villa Park, Ill., Wayzata, MN., and Aberdeen, S.D. In 1982 the family moved permanently to their present home at Rocky Point, Big Stone Lake.
Ruth was a homemaker and volunteered for many organizations including church, YWCA, AAUW, Arts Council, and PEO. She received the Sertoma Award for volunteerism in Aberdeen in 1980. Ruth and her husband traveled to all 50 states and several foreign countries. She was a beekeeper for a while; she liked playing bridge, and loved gardening and being outdoors. She really enjoyed her family and friends.
Survivors include her husband Bryan, and 3 daughters, Kim (Don Frankfort) Mogen, Gillette, Wyoming, Myla (Bill) VanderAarde, Big Stone City, S.D., Jill Mogen, Seattle, Wa., 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild, one brother, Dan Norgaard and wife Jo, Sun City, AZ; and many nieces and nephews, including special nephew, Dr. Mark Mogen and wife Karen, Aberdeen, S.D.