Ruth Richardson

A great lioness, Ruth Richardson, 97, has passed from this world into the next on December 31, 2014, in Bismarck, under the care of her family and hospice at the home of her son. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and a host of family and friends who will miss her every day. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, January 4, 2015, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with Rev. Darrel Aleson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck. Ruth Laura Bangen was born August 17, 1917 at the farm south of Sanish and she echoed her father's words when she said she had a good life. Her goal was never to grow too old but she celebrated 97 of them anyway. She graduated from Sanish High School in 1936 and married Arnold Wollan on September 10th, 1941. We found Arnold's war journal a few weeks before Ruth's death and we learned more about his great devotion to her. Theirs was a true love story and a tragic end when Arnold died suddenly in 1958. She said at different times " we wonder if Arnold has forgotten about me" as she aged and grew tired of the struggles of growing older. We told her he would not ever forget her and he didn't. We imagine they are dancing now in heaven to the big bands. Arnold and Ruth were the proud parents of three sons, Joseph, Laurence, and Glenn. They were her reason for living after Arnold died and they gave her great joy. She was blessed with six grandchildren that she was immensely proud of: Jennifer, Joseph, Sarah, Monique, Jacinda, and Alexander. She loved having the grandchildren visit and made them a priority in her life. As a result, she was always a priority in their lives as well. They have many wonderful memories to cherish and the knowledge of how deeply she loved each one of them. After moving to Denver in 1963, she began working in insurance and then she took nurses' training to become an LPN. She was a labor and delivery nurse for many years at St. Luke's in Denver. She remarried in 1977 to Jack Richardson in Denver and they have a few short years together before he passed away from a work related disease. She enjoyed Jack's company and she said she was lucky to have had two good husbands. She remarked a few times that she thinks God never intended her to be married so she managed life on those terms. She was an independent lady that was an excellent judge of character and always had kind words for everyone. We grieve her passing even though she was ready to leave this world. She has two little great granddaughters that she loved to the moon and back, Lily Ruth and Bridget Riley Herzog. We will speak of this wonderful woman until we are gone and then a little bit of her goes on with both Lily and Bridget. She was grateful to those who cared for her at the end of her life and we say a prayer of thanks for their help. She leaves three sons and two daughter in laws, Joseph, Denver, CO, Larry Gael Battleground, WA, and Glenn Sandy, Bismarck, ND. Six grandchildren, Jennifer Chris Wayland, Brighton, CO, Joseph Jamie, Denver, CO, Sarah David, Lily Ruth and Bridget Riley Herzog, Shakopee, MN, Monique, St. Paul, MN, Jacinda Levi, Fargo, ND, and Alexander, Bismarck, ND. In addition she had many nieces and nephews that were very special to her. Her remaining sister Thelma Collins will be the last surviving member of the Bangen family that started as seven. She was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Sara Bangen; two husbands; sister, Harriet Larson; and brothers, Howard, Arvid, Reuben and Leland. Thanks be to God for the life of Ruth and until we meet again.

Ruth Richardson

August 17, 1917 - December 31, 2014