Obituary of Ruth Trageser

Ruth Trageser, 82, of Willmar, died Saturday, September 7^th at Bethesda Grand in Willmar. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am, Monday, September 30^th at Church of St. Mary in Willmar. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home. www.hafh.org

Ruth Brick was born February 22^nd, 1942 in Belgrade, Minnesota. She was the youngest of Othmar and Ella Brick’s nine children. Ruth attended country school in Lake Henry and graduated from Paynesville High School in 1959. 

She was encouraged by her mother to pursue a college education, which she did. At that time, woman could only be secretaries or teachers. In 1965 Ruth began teaching English in Kimball, Minnesota. After one year of teaching, she moved to Willmar, Minnesota, and taught there until 1999. She ended her career in education at the University of Minnesota, Morris, as a lecturer in the Secondary Education Department and as a supervisor of student teachers. Many of Ruth’s students say she was the best teacher they ever had. She left a lasting impression in West Central, Minnesota. Ruth had the honor of being selected for Who’s Who of American Women and Who’s Who of American Educators. 

Ruth married James Trageser on October 27, 1962 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Saint Cloud, and to this union they were blessed with two children: Thomas and Susie.

Ruth had a passion for travel and enjoyed her many trips around the United States with her children and grandchildren. She even drove her own RV around the country for a few years! Her love of history inspired her international travel to Europe, Thailand, Egypt and China. Her most unique and frightening experience was when she was an exchange teacher in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2001 when the World Trade Center in New York City was attacked, and she could not get home.

Ruth’s civic mindedness led her to be involved in many community organizations. She was president of the local American Association of University Women, and served on the state board. She served as president of the Willmar Federation of Teachers as well as being a member of the state board. While serving on the Spicer Beautification Committee, she initiated and wrote many grants to support the musicians who performed in the park on Sundays. As an ardent Democrat, Ruth served as the co-chair of the local DFL Party. She acted in several plays at the Barn theater where she also served as board member, usher, play reader, and board president. Ruth had also been a longtime member of Friends of the Library. 

In her later years, Ruth had a side hobby of performing one woman shows depicting famous women in history. She performed impersonations of Mary Magdalene, Rosie the Riveter, and Elma, a baby who was on the orphan train.  Ruth enjoyed her many, many friends, including her special friend Bob, coffee, exercise class, bridge club, happy hour and book club.

Ruth is survived by her two children: Thomas (Monique) of Forest Lake, MN and Susie Fadness of Willmar; five grandchildren, Jordan (Teresa) Kidrowski, Brandon (Carrie) Fadness, Hailey Fadness, Jeffrey and Isabella Trageser; brother James (Sue) Brick of Lake Henry, MN; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and 7 siblings.