Ruth Mehlhoff, 86, Flasher, formerly of Garrison, died on Friday, Feb. 7,
2014 at her daughter's home in Flasher. Funeral services will be held on
Tuesday at 1:00 pm at Peace Lutheran Church in Garrison. Burial will be
at the Garrison City Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Monday from 1 to 8 pm at Thompson Funeral Home
in Garrison.

Ruth was born February 22, 1927 to John and Christina (Aldinger) Steinwand
in rural Garrison, ND where she was raised and educated. Ruth married
Reuben Mehlhoff on October 1, 1945 in Coleharbor, ND. They made their
first home in Coleharbor where they farmed. Several years later they
moved to Hope, ND where farming was also pursued. In 1960, Reuben and
Ruth moved to Garrison, ND with their three children, Gloria, Gene and
Bette. The couple then owned the Garrison Lanes Bowling Alley in Garrison
for approximately 30 years. Ruth was very active in their business and
bowled on many of the leagues. Their last two children, Tammy and Rick
were born later in life.

Ruth loved to cook and bake. Her children and grandchildren loved the
holiday, especially Christmas, when Ruth provided all kinds of different
"baked goodies". At times she had to ship them several hundreds of miles
just to reach the kids in time for Christmas. Ruth always had a smile and
a kind and caring heart. She was known to take in stray animals and
provided them with TLC. Ruth's top priority was always her family. Her
children and grandchildren came before everything else and she will be
forever in their hearts.

Ruth is survived by her children, Gene Mehlhoff, Tennessee, Bette (Robert)
Voller, Fergus Falls, MN, Tamera (Allen) Schmidt, Flasher, and Rick
Mehlhoff, Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Angela Goldader, Fargo, Chad (Jodi)
Friese, Harvey, Stephanie (Trent) Fix, Bismarck, Kenny (Jody) Mehlhoff,
Lebanon, Tennessee, Kelly (Rosie) Mehlhoff, Grandin, ND, Kory (Maria)
Mehlhoff, Panama City, Florida, Kristie (Barry) Preston, Pleasant Shade
Valley, Tennessee, Heather (Brian) Bernotas, Colfax, ND, Amanda Wallace,
Fargo, ND and Phillip Schmidt, Bismarck, Matthew Schmidt, Bismarck and
Zackary Schmidt, Flasher; 27 great grandchildren; and 3 great great
grandchildren; 2 brothers Aleck (Doris) Steinwand, Garrison, ND and Ed
Steinwand in Kansas; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, infant children, Daniel Lee and
Trudy Ann Mehlhoff, daughter Gloria Jean Friese, granddaughter Shannon
Marie Arndt, and five brothers and four sisters.