Ruth Watson

Ruth M. Watson died peacefully at home surrounded by loving family on April 3, 2010. A celebration of Ruth Watson’s life will be held at Parkway Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 6, at 3:30, with the Reverend Dick Smith, visitation pastor from Trinity Lutheran Church, officiating. She was born in 1924 in Heimdal, North Dakota, to Gustav and Sigrid Petterson, Scandinavian immigrants and prairie homesteaders. Ruth graduated from Maddock High School and soon relocated to Rugby, North Dakota, where she met and married Lawrence Watson, the love of her life. In 1952, they moved to Bismarck and into their house on Second Street. That home was a gathering place for friends and family for the 58 years that Ruth lived there. Her family is deeply grateful to her dedicated caregivers, Dianne Moch, Bernie Wagner, and Sandra Garner, who made it possible for Ruth to remain in her home, which was what she always wanted. Ruth worked for many years in the oil abstracting business and upon her retirement was a junior partner in the firm of Deister, Ward, and Witcher. She was also in charge of Engrossing and Enrolling for a session of the North Dakota Legislature. She was a member of Desk and Derrick Club and the Zonta Club. In later years, Ruth enjoyed volunteering for the North Dakota Legal Assistance Association. An involved parent in her children’s schools, she was also active in Trinity Lutheran Church and served for many years on the church’s library board. In addition, she was on the board of the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony League. Ruth loved music, she followed politics closely, and she kept track of her favorite sports teams and athletes. In her earlier years, she enjoyed golfing and bowling. In later years, she took particular pleasure in Bismarck’s Current Events Club. She was a proud and loving sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her twin sister, Ruby Booker of San Marcos, CA, her sister Verna Strand of Helena, MT; her brother, Verner Carol Peterson of Bismarck; her son, Larry Susan Watson of Milwaukee, WI, her daughter, Leslee Douglas Smith of Bismarck and her daughter, Ginny Ian Westray of Golden Valley, MT; her grandchildren, Elly Watson Heuring of Appleton, WI, Amy Ruth Watson of Kenosha, WI, Corey Smith, Peter Krista Smith, Charles Smith, all of Bismarck, Cella and Ward Westray of Golden Valley, MN, and her great grandchildren, Theodore and Abigail Heuring and Lily Smith. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, including Beth Jim Hughes of Bismarck. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Watson; her parents; her brothers, Carl, Albert, Axel, and Ernest Petterson; a stepdaughter, Laurie Jean Watson; and a great granddaughter, Marli Hockett.

Ruth Watson

January 24, 1924 - April 3, 2010