GIBBON–Ruth Ernestine Strackbein, age 96 formerly of Gibbon died peacefully on Monday, January 27, 2025, at the Bayside Manor in Gaylord. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon. Reverend Steven Bauer will officiate, and burial will take place in the Midway-St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Battle Creek, Iowa on Saturday. The visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 a.m. on Friday at the church prior to the service. The Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes of Gibbon are assisting the family with arrangements at this time. To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

Ruth is survived by her daughters, Sarah Mandal Joy from Pryor, Oklahoma, Cynthia (Rick) Tragasz of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Heather (Jeff) Blunt of Winthrop; her sons, John (Sandy) Strackbein of League City, Texas, Philip (Kathy) Strackbein Sioux Falls, South Dakota, David (Lori) Strackbein of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and her 19 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rev. Lee M. Strackbein in 1979; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Tom and Erna Strackbein; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Sarah and Dale Stang, Louise and Culver Young; and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Waneta and Roland Strickert.

Ruth Ernestine Hudtloff was born July 11, 1928, in Oconto, Wisconsin to Benjamin and Ruth (Langland) Hudtloff. Ruth was baptized in Oconto and later confirmed in Ottumwa, Iowa at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church by Rev. Stratford Eynon. Ruth was a 1946 graduate from the Emmett Consolidated High School in Estherville, Iowa. She furthered her education at the University of Iowa where she attained her master’s degree in education in 1970. As an individual who valued education, Ruth also took classes at the University of Minnesota, Mankato State University, and DMLC in New Ulm over the years.

Ruth was united in marriage to Rev. Lee Merle Strackbein on June 16, 1951, in Iowa City, Iowa. This union blessed the couple with three daughters and three sons whom together they raised in North Dakota, Illinois, Arkansas, New Guinea, Missouri, South Dakota, and Minnesota.

Early in her teaching career, Ruth taught in rural Iowa, and later at the University Elementary School in Iowa City. Ruth later taught in Colome, South Dakota where her husband was serving as minister. Ruth also taught in New Guinea as a missionary teacher from 1954-1960. The couple later settled in Winthrop where Ruth taught at the Immanuel Lutheran School in Gibbon from 1975 until her retirement in 1993. In her retirement, Ruth continued to work with the school as a tutor, a teacher’s aid, and librarian for an additional ten years.

Besides her work, there were a variety of hobbies Ruth enjoyed in life. Ruth enjoyed taking in nature by tending to her large, beautiful, and bountiful vegetable gardens. To relax, she enjoyed going for a walk or settling down with a good book. As a gifted musician, Ruth enjoyed playing piano, playing the organ, and singing. Her family recalls many good memories of family devotions and singalongs to hymns, as well as falling asleep to Ruth playing the piano after she put them to bed. To keep her mind sharp, Ruth always enjoyed doing some version of a puzzle, and deeply appreciated photography and sharing slide stories. Ruth was an active member of her church where she not only taught at the school for many years, but she also served as the church’s custodian, organist, Sunday school teacher, and also volunteered with the Ladies Guild.

What brought Ruth the most joy in her life was always her family and her faith. She loved staying connected with everyone, and loved getting to see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. Although Ruth lived a long and beautiful 96 years, she will still be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. May these memories and the countless others forever stay in the hearts of those who knew her best. Blessed be her memory. Memorials preferred to Prairie Lutheran School, Fairfax, Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, Martin Luther College, WELS Missions, or donor’s choice.

Mvfh.org

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