Ruth Jeanette Schwartz, 89, of Willmar, formerly of Verndale, died Tuesday evening, Feb. 24, 2009, at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
She was born Sept. 8, 1919, in Verndale, the daughter of Adolf and Christine (Peterson) Johnson. She grew up in the Verndale community and graduated from Verndale High School in 1935. She received her teacher's training in Iowa and taught elementary school from 1939 to 1950 in Wadena and Kandiyohi County. She married Bernard "Benny" Schwartz on July 10, 1946. In 1948, they moved to Willmar where her children were born. She was involved in community theater, Farmers Union, where she served as secretary, and Vinje Lutheran Church. She was an avid reader and enjoyed politics and family gatherings.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 2, at Vinje Lutheran Church. Interment will be at Cloverleaf Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. Peterson Brothers Funeral Home of Willmar is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include her three children, Terry Schwartz of Willmar, Larry (and Lynn) Schwartz of Loretto and Lori Schwartz (and Peter Perrine); six grandchildren; five great- grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Benny, in 1989; and four brothers and three sisters.
