Ruth Stepan
October 7, 1921 — October 29, 2016
Ruth Margaret Stepan, 95, of Duluth passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at Valley Home in Thief River Falls, MN.
Ruth was born to Fred and Sadie (Sarah Napier) Bystrom on October 7, 1921 in Tower, Minnesota. She was confirmed at St. James Presbyterian Church in Tower. Ruth graduated from Tower Soudan High School in June 1939. After graduation she attended Hibbing Junior College and then moved to Duluth where she worked for Levine Fruit and Produce during the war years prior to her marriage. On August 20, 1946 Ruth was united in marriage to John Joseph Stepan of Soudan, Minnesota and the couple made their home in Duluth. They enjoyed 63 beautiful years of marriage. Ruth was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She loved the out of doors and spent as much time as she could at Lake Vermilion or Lake Superior. After her family was raised, Ruth worked at the Glass Block Department Store in downtown Duluth until she retired. She was a lifelong member of the Order of Eastern Star of Tower. Ruth was an avid knitter and seamstress and enjoyed helping people wherever she was needed. She took great joy in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them.
Ruth is survived by daughter, Nancy (John) Tofte of Thief River Falls, MN and sons Craig (Sandy) Stepan of Fairhope, AL and Dan Stepan (Janet Hassoun) of Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren, Heidi (Todd) Bergland, Aaron (Laura) Tofte, Nathan Stepan, Mark Stepan and Tom (Beth) Stepan; great-grandchildren Riley Bergland, Sarah Bergland, Ashley Tofte, Allison Tofte, and Katherine Tofte; nephews, Don (Marge) Laugen, Chuck (LeeAnn) Bystrom, Joe (Jan) Mesojedec and Tom Mesojedec.
The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 4, at Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 East Second Street, Duluth, MN, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Sunrise Memorial Park, 4798 Miller Trunk Highway, Hermantown, MN. Arrangements by the Dougherty Funeral Home in Duluth, 600 E. 2nd Street, Duluth, Mn 55805. 218-727-3555.