Obituary of Ruth Glendora Menge

With heavy hearts,  we mourn the passing of our beautiful, lovely spirited mom Ruth.  Ruth went to her heavenly home on January 26, 2022 and is now walking on streets of gold. 

Ruth Glendora, daughter of Olaf and Belinda Gronvold was born on  April 3, 1925 in Ada, MN.  She attended school in Ada and later met and married Wesley Menge on March 18, 1950. 

After moving from Ada to Hastings, she stayed home to raise her 3 children, James, Jean and Lola.  They lost an infant son of two (2) weeks old and their faith in God brought them through that loss and serious heart conditions for Jean and Lola. Wesley and Ruth were members of  the United Methodist Church in Hastings and attended for many years.

Ruth worked at Smeads in Hastings and later at the Hastings State Hospital/Veterans Home in Food Service. She retired after 25 years of service in 1987.

Ruth loved talking with people of all ages; could talk about anything and remembered particular things about them.  If she knew a person liked or needed a certain thing, she bought those things for them, never expecting anything in return.  She loved being generous in that way and loved shopping for others.  She never drove but was always able to get out shopping.  She loved garage sales, thrift stores, loved jewelry,  clothes and shoes.  After Wesley passed away in 2003, she moved into Parkridge Senior Apartments where she resided for 15 years.  She made many friends and was very special to the staff who took care of her. She was very well liked and loved.  She had a great love of all animals, especially her cats, whom she mourned dearly after they were gone.  She loved playing bingo, loved "dressing up" for parties and special celebrations at Parkridge. Loved reading (especially biographies) , dancing and listening to music, loved having her sweet roll and coffee before her breakfast,    She made the best potato dumplings that were very hard to duplicate.  She was so sweet and kind hearted, always remembering birthdays and holidays by sending cards and writing in all of them.  She did worry a bit too much, so was always keeping track of weather, traffic, driving conditions and crime statistics for her children and grandchildren.  Ruth loved visiting and staying with her children; going to James' cabin, Jean's lake home and Lola's home north of the cities.  She loved being out by the campfire, pool parties, picnics and spoiling her children's pets, reminiscing about life's memories and everyday news. 

Left to cherish her memory are her children, James (Barb) Menge of Hastings, Jean (Jim) Anitzberger of Osakis, Lola (Scott) Leibke of Stacy.  Grandchildren, Adria (Dan) Gahler, Noah (Danielle) Menge, Jacob (Anna) Leibke, Molly (Darek) Schmidt, Jessica (Nick) Robinette, Laura Elliott, Christopher (Kari) Elliott, Pat McGuire, Mike McGuire, Chris McGuire and Roselyn McGuire.  She also left behind 20 great-grandchildren who lovingly called her GG. 

She was Preceded in death by her husband Wesley, son Wayne, mother and father, mother and father in law, 2 sisters, 3 brothers, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. 

A special Thank You to the caregivers and friends at Parkridge Senior Apartments, Prescott Nursing and Rehab, St. Croix Hospice and her very special caregiver Diane.

There will be a Celebration of Life at the West Shelter, Spring Lake Park Reserve Hastings on June 4th, 2022.  Service at 1:00 with lunch to follow.  Memorials are preferred to the donor's choice in memory of Ruth Glendora Menge.