Ruth Orchard

Ruth K. Orchard, 81, Bismarck, died September 5, 2007, at her home. Services will be held on Monday at 11:00 AM at St. George's Episcopal Church in Bismarck with Rev. Michael Horn and Rev. Zanne Ness officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service. Ruth K. Orchard, the daughter of Henry and Emma Kracke, was born at a farm in Edgeley, ND, on June 29, 1926. She attended country school through the 8th grade and graduated from Edgeley High School in 1944. She started nurses training in 1944 in the US Cadet Nursing Corps and graduated from Bismarck Hospital's what is now Med Center One's nursing program in June of 1947. She worked as a surgical nurse and private duty nurse until 1956, when she retired from nursing. Ruth Orchard remained very busy after her retirement from nursing, working with her husband, Dr. Tom Orchard, at the Midway Veterinary Clinic as well as serving on many boards and associations. She was the past-president and lifetime member of the North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association Auxiliary. She was a friend of the Women in Military Service for America Foundation. She was a lifetime member of the Dakota Zoo, Honorary Board Member of the Dakota Zoological Society, and enjoyed working for many years at the Dakota Zoo picnics and the Dakota Zoo annual dinners. She also participated in the Shrine Auxiliary, the North Dakota Historical Society, St. George's Episcopal Church, and the Cowboy Hall of Fame. Ruth greatly embraced life, and her interactions with family and friends. She especially enjoyed many summers at Blue Lake, and spending time in Medora until ill health prevented. She had a special passion for football, including her favorite team, the Minnesota Vikings, but could be found at all hours watching any game available. She also added beauty to Christmas celebrations with her talent of wrapping beautiful presents. While all of these things were important to Ruth, the most important thing to her on this earth was her family. She married Dr. Thomas Orchard in 1956 and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary together in September of 2006. They have three sons: Tom Jr., who worked for many years in the engineering department for the city of Bismarck; Paul, who is a pediatric oncologist at the University of Minnesota; and Todd, who works as a plastic surgeon in Lincoln, NE. Ruth Orchard is survived by her three sons, Tom Jr., Paul, and Todd; her daughters by marriage, Joan and Kim; her grandchildren, Christina, Alexander, Ryan, Ian, and Ellie; her sisters, Alice Bernhagen and Iva Slag; her brothers, Alvin Kracke and his wife, Wilma, Hank Kracke and his wife, Pauline, and Arthur Kracke and his wife, Ann; her sister by marriage, Virginia Olson and her husband, Malvin; and many nieces, nephews and good friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Tom Orchard; her parents, Henry and Emma Kracke; her mother and father by marriage, Welland and Oral Orchard; her brothers, Clarence Kracke and Melvin Kracke; her sister, Esther Kurtz; her brothers by marriage, Bernard Slag, Ted Kurtz, Welland Orchard and his wife Annette, and Jim Orchard; and her nephews, Jerry Slag, and Wayne Kurtz. She will long be remembered as a loving mother and friend. Special thanks to Dr Reynolds, the oncology staff at Med Center One, and Med Center One Hospice for their outstanding care. Memorials may be given to Dakota Zoo or St George's Episcopal Church.

Ruth Orchard

June 29, 1926 - September 5, 2007