Ruth Ralston

Ruth Ralston, 92, Grand Forks, ND, died Saturday March 21, 2015 at Valley Memorial Home Woodside Village. Lillian Ruth Blakemore was born May 25, 1922 in Streator, IL, the daughter of Frank and Edith (Evans) Blakemore. Raised and educated in Streator, she then attended Garfield Park School of Nursing in Chicago, IL, where she received her degree as a Registered Nurse, working at Garfield Park Community Hospital. It was there she met her future husband, Dr. Lloyd Ralston, who was an intern at the time. They married March 9, 1945 in Kankakee, IL. Dr. Ralston's medical practice took the family to several areas of the country until finally settling in East Grand Forks, MN in 1966. After the Flood of 1997, Ruth moved to Grand Forks. Ruth was gracious, generous and loving to all. She filled her long life with family, books, animals and a rich spiritual life. She loved nature, especially trees and birds. She was active for many years at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Survivors include her daughters, Martha (Dr. Stephen) Penkhus, Mankato, MN, and Lynne (Mike) Greenwood, Maple Grove, MN; sons, Richard (Nettie) Ralston, Seattle, WA, and Ross Ralston, East Grand Forks, MN; four grandchildren; one great grandchild. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd S. Ralston, MD; daughter, Carol Ruth Ralston; granddaughter, Kathryn Anne Penkhus; two sisters and one brother. Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, March 28, 2015 in St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery of Grand Forks, ND.