Ruth Ann Seidel

Ruth Ann Seidel, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2025, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, at the age of 85.

Born on November 19, 1939, in Park Rapids, MN, Ruth was the youngest of 13 children and the last surviving member of her large Swedish family. She graduated from Nevis High School in 1957 and worked at The Willow Shop, where her future sister-in-law, Helen, introduced her to Edwin Kramer. They married on March 29, 1958, and raised five children while building a life rooted in faith, family, and hard work. They were married for 48 years until Edwin’s passing in 2005.

In 2007, Ruth married Gordon Seidel. The two were inseparable for the 18 years they shared. They enjoyed gardening, bike rides, remodeling Gordon’s home, chopping wood, and watching Jimmy Swaggart together. They were regulars at McDonald’s, where they enjoyed visiting with staff and other familiar faces.

Ruth was known for her strong work ethic, kind spirit, and deep Christian faith. She worked alongside Edwin on the farm, milking cows, driving tractor, unloading bales, and tending a large garden. In her 40s, while still raising children, she proudly earned her LPN degree.

She was an exceptional cook and baker, known for her flaky pie crust, bars, homemade meals, and especially her bread, caramel rolls, and cinnamon rolls, which were family favorites. After taking a cake decorating class, she began baking and decorating cakes from scratch for weddings, birthdays, and graduations. She also sewed clothes and made Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and stuffed panda bears for her children.

Ruth enjoyed ceramics and created many beautiful pieces, including the Christmas trees her family still displays during the holidays. She loved sketching floor plans and came up with ideas that led to real renovations in both the family home and Gordon’s home.

Her faith was the foundation of her life. She prayed daily, always including her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren by name. She loved reading, especially pioneer romances. Jeanette Oke was one of her favorite authors.

She had a soft spot for cats, especially her last cat, Maggie. Ruth was also known for her thoughtful tradition of sending birthday and Christmas cards to each and every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild, with a heartfelt message and a little money tucked inside, a gesture her family will always treasure.

Ruth leaves behind her legacy within her four children and families: Steve (Mary) Kramer, Erskine, MN, Roxane (Ricardo) Jimenez, Chula Vista, CA, Denise (Manuel) Kramer, Murfreesboro, TN, and Barb (Brad) Anderson, Detroit Lakes, MN; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and one on the way; and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth’s life was grounded in love, faith, and quiet strength. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her family and all who were blessed to know her.

Services for Ruth will be conducted at David-Donehower Funeral Home on Friday, June 20th, 2025, beginning with a time of visitation at 11am, followed by formal services at 1pm. Ruth will be interred at Oak Grove Cemetery at approximately 2pm that same day.