Fardig, Ruth E. Age 95, of St. Paul/Mpls, died at home 5/17/18. Loving mother, grandmother & aunt, dear friend, gifted musician, and life-long learner and teacher who brought beauty and happiness to many lives. Predeceased by husband Sheldon Fardig, second husband William Hyllengren, brother Carl and sister June Rosencrantz. Ruth leaves behind a loving extended family and four sons: Paul (Judith), Portland, OR; Stephen (Sandra), Kingston, NY; Peter, Los Angeles, CA; Timothy, Mpls; grandchildren Krister, Erika, Elinora, Ava, and Declan; numerous nieces and nephews; and devoted friend Kerstin Hammarberg of Mpls, who was a godsend to all in Ruth's later years, and whom her sons thank profoundly. Ruth Elsa Rosencrantz Fardig was born in Chicago on May 27, 1922 to Swedish immigrants Nils & Mathilda (nee Kullberg) Rosencrantz. From her earliest years Ruth displayed uncommon talent at sight-reading music and playing the piano. At age seven she accompanied her younger sister June and other violin students at their recitals. Getting wind of her talents, a school teacher then asked her to play for a dance unit in gym class. At twelve she played for an uncle's wedding, and in her early teens accompanied her school's Glee Club chorus and church's children's choir. Having also taken up the organ, upon graduating high school she was hired by St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran in Chicago, where she served ten years. While at St. Paul's Ruth attended North Park Junior College, and earned her B.A. from Northwestern University with a double major in music education and piano performance. There she first met Sheldon Fardig, also a music educator (and later Prof. of Education at Augsburg College). They married in 1946, and moved to St. Paul in 1956 to teach music at Bethel College. They also teamed at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Mpls, Ruth as organist and accompanist and Sheldon directing choirs. She also played piano in a classical trio (with cello and violin), and was active in the MN Music Teachers Association, and the St. Paul Piano Teachers Association, where she once served as President. Throughout this period they raised their boys in St. Paul's lovely St. Anthony Park neighborhood, where Ruth made a handsome and cultured home as a wife, mother, gardener, baker, cheerful hostess of neighborhood and church parties, and more. She was a remarkable woman and ahead of her time in successfully combining family and career. She and Sheldon also traveled widely nationally and globally, often with one or more son. After Sheldon died in 1997, Ruth married her widowed former pastor, William Hyllengrenthe man who circa 1940 had hired her for her first organist position in Chicago, and later baptized her two oldest sons! She and Bill shared five wonderful years until his death in 2004, and his extended family remained a great blessing to her. During this time she became Music Director and organist at Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel. After ten years, when her final pair of organ shoes wore holes in their soles, she retired at age 86. Yet Ruth continued to make music, now with her lifelong friend Lois Stahl, whom she met at North Park College and who later also moved to the Twin Cities. Until just last year they publicly performed four-hand piano duets with great skill and zest. Ruth also played for weekly hymn and Golden Oldies sing-alongs at her August-ana Apts. residence. As she aged Ruth became more and more aware of social issues, which led her to support a progressive political perspective and an interfaith religious outlook. Her family is grateful for the excellent care she received from Augustana Care Suites staff and, in her last week, from Fairview Hospice. All are invited to celebrate her exceptional life at a Remembrance Service on Saturday, May 26, 4pm, 7th floor Sky Room of Augustana Apts, 1425 10th Ave. S., Mpls. Private Interment of ashes at a later date. Memorials to Special Olympics or MN Music Teachers Association.

Published on May 23, 2018