Ruth Hartl

Ruth Alice Hartl, formerly of Bismarck, ND, died October 2, 2003, in Burke, VA. Services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, with the Rev. Thomas E. Kramer officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Ruth, the daughter of Axel and Emma Anderson Stenquist, was born November 14, 1913, on a farm in Painted Woods Township near Wilton, ND. She attended school in Wilton, graduating from Wilton High School in 1931 as valedictorian of her class. She then attended Augsburg Business College in Fargo, North Dakota. Ruth was employed for 2 ¢ years in the State Tax Commissioner's Office in Bismarck where she met her husband. Albert Hartl. They were married June 25, 1935, at St. Mary's Pro Cathedral. They made their home in Bismarck until Al was called to active duty in World War II and moved the family to California. When her husband was sent to the Pacific, Ruth and the four girls returned to Bismarck. After the war, they moved to Fergus Falls, MN where her husband was employed by Otter Tail Power Company. Pat and young Al joined the family there. They lived there until her husband's retirement when they returned to Bismarck. A few years after her husband's death in 1995, Ruth moved to Burke, VA, to be nearer several daughters. Ruth was active in both her church and community. Of special interest to her was the Catholic Daughters of America. She was a member of this organization for 67 years. While in Fergus Falls, she organized its first Court and was elected its first Grand Regent. She also served two terms as District Deputy. Upon her return to Bismarck, she served a term as District Deputy for the Bismarck Court and was chairman of their 65th Anniversary Celebration. While in Fergus Falls, Ruth was the president of the region's Catholic Charities Guild, co-chairman of the Parish Religious Education Committee, a member of the League of Women Voters, and a den mother for Cub Scouts. She belonged to the Women's Club, a literary group, serving one term as its president. She also was co-chairman of the Pioneer 100 Club, a fund raising committee for Pioneer Home, serving as a director of this nursing facility for 6 years. During her lifetime Ruth received several church awards. The Diocese of St. Cloud presented her with the Legion of Merit Award, and the Bismarck Knights of Columbus Council 6540 honored the Hartl's with the Family of the Year Award. As a Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, she earned 4 promotions. Ruth is survived by 5 daughters and sons-in-law, Marlene and Robert M. Kools of Appleton, WI, Claudeen and Kenneth Boyd of Brandon, FL, Kathleen and Dennis Faltynski of High Point, NC, Mary and Joseph Pettit of Burkee, VA and Patricia and Joseph Doyle of Potamac Falls, VA; one son, Albert of Pasadena, CA; eleven grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers-in-law; two sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, four sisters, Edith Berry, Astrid Johnson, Hildur Bitner, and Edna Brostrom, and a half-brother, Einar Nordstrom of Sweden. In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established. Gestures of concern may be sent to Mary Pettit, 6668 Old Blacksmith Drive, Burke, VA 22015

Ruth Hartl

November 14, 1913 - October 2, 2003