Ruth G. McPherson

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McPherson, Ruth G. 91, of Long Lake, MN, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 29, 2016 in North Oaks, MN. She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel; parents, Frank and Callie Mastalka; sister, Jenny (Edward) Bley; brothers, Shirley and George; and granddaughter Amy (McPherson). She is survived by her sister, Faye Cerillo of New Jersey; daughter Kathleen (John) Junek of Minneapolis; son Verne (Susan) McPherson of New Brighton; 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grand-children. Ruth was born in Lincoln, NE and moved to Kearney, NE at the age of 8. She was a National Honor Society member in high school. She attended Kearney State Teachers College in pre-nursing where she was Freshman Homecoming Queen. She completed her nursing training at Bryan Memorial Hospital and graduated with an RN degree in 1946. That same year she met and married Daniel McPherson. They moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1949, where Dan began a career with General Mills. In 1960 they moved to Long Lake, MN when Dan was transferred to the corporate offices. Ruth was active in Boy and Girl Scouts, a long-time member of Calvin Presbyterian Church and a regular participant in her book club for over 30 years. Both she and Dan enjoyed travel and visited numerous countries around the world. Upon Dan's retirement in 1985, they moved to Washington D.C. where Dan worked in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. During this time, Ruth worked as a volunteer in the White House Annex where she addressed birthday and Christmas cards for President & Mrs. Reagan. She also enjoyed attending many formal parties, including President Reagan's 76th birthday party. Upon completion of Dan's appointment in D.C., they returned to their home in Long Lake and purchased a winter home in Tucson, AZ. They continued to travel globally, enjoying summers in Minnesota and winters in Arizona. For the past 10 years, Ruth has lived at Waverly Gardens in North Oaks, MN. Ruth was known to her family and friends as a kind, thoughtful and caring person, always concerned about others, willing to listen and ready to encourage, "a lady in every way." Her deep faith supported her and touched the people around her. In recent years, she enjoyed weekly lunches with her children and grandchildren who loved to hear the family stories she told and the wisdom she shared-and with the great-grandchildren she loved to hold. Ruth warmed everyone she knew with her genuine interest and compassion, and she will be greatly missed by family, friends and the caring staff at Waverly Gardens. A service will be held Friday, May 20th at 11 a.m. at Waverly Gardens, 5919 Centerville Rd. North Oaks, MN. Graveside service and interment 2:30 PM at Union Cemetery, Long Lake, MN. Memorials can be directed to Calvin Presbyterian Church in Long Lake, MN or Bryan Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Lincoln, NE. Rettinger Funeral Home Long Lake~Orono 952-473-6954

Published on March 6, 2016