Ruth Luella Rooney

Ruth Luella Rooney, age 99, a long-time Park Rapids area resident, passed from this life into eternal life on Friday, July 3, 2015 at Heritage Living Center with her loved ones by her side. Ruth was born prematurely on March 30, 1916 in Perley, MN to Oscar and Mary (Taylor) Ostreng. She weighed only 2 ½ pounds at birth and was not expected to live; but her mother placed her in a small shoebox and kept her warm on the wood stove and miraculously little Ruth thrived. As a young girl, she moved with her family to the Park Rapids area where she attended school and grew into womanhood. She was united in marriage to William Roland Rooney and together they were blessed with ten children: Audrey, Marilyn, Sharon, Carole, Don, Joyce, Jane, David, Barbara and Cynthia. The young couple engaged in farming in the Straight River Township south of Park Rapids where Ruth devoted herself to making a loving home for her husband and children. Later in life, she resided on Hinds Lake, south of Park Rapids. She was a wonderful cook and baker. Her husband preceded her in death when he was only 53, so she raised her three youngest children on her own. For over 25 years, Ruth worked at Dahl's Bakery, which later became the Ament Bakery. She was known in the Park Rapids area as "the bakery lady". Many residents and visitors would ask about her following her retirement. She was very much a people person and became friends with many of her customers. She also worked at Tiny's Meats near Two Inlets for a number of years. She loved cooking for her family and especially enjoyed the fall harvest time where there were always lots of fresh vegetables to gather. She also loved strawberry picking and would pick many strawberries and make strawberry jam for her family and friends. Above, all, she loved spending time with her family where she was a devoted Mother and Grandmother. Ruth will be lovingly remembered by her children: Marilyn Wattenhofer of Watkins, MN; Sharon (Leon) Smiens of Chaska, MN; Carole (Dale) Anderson of Park Rapids; Don (Judy) Rooney of Ponsford, MN; Joyce Rooney of St Peter, MN; Jane Swanson of Fort Myers, FL; David (Judie) Rooney of Springfield, IL; Barbara Rooney of Seattle, WA: and Cynthia (Kim) Olson of Park Rapids, MN; her 22 grandchildren, many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; other relatives and many, many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Roland; one daughter, Audrey; two granddaughters, Kimberly Hoefs and Tammy Smiens-Long; a grandson, Craig Hoefs; one great grandson, Michael Mondry; four sisters: Florence, Stella, Violet and Edna; one brother, Bob; daughter-in-law Heidi Rooney and son-in-law, Robert (Bob) Swanson. Memorial Mass will be held 11 AM Wednesday July 8, 2015 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids with Father Thomas Friedl officiating. Music will be led by the Alleluia Choir and special musical tributes will be "I Can Only Imagine" and "You Raise Me Up". Urn bearers will be grandchildren and interment will be made at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will begin at one hour prior to the service at the church. To view the video tribute or leave online condolences, please visit www.jonespearson.com.