Ruth E. Jones

Ruth E. Jones, 85, Grand Forks, died August 18, 2018 while a resident at Valley Eldercare, Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Ruth Esther Jones was born in Alexandria, Minnesota on March 4, 1933 to Mildred and M.C. Christiansen.

Ruth graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 1951. After high school, Ruth worked in a Fargo Clinic for two years as a phlebotomist.

Ruth was married to M/Sgt. Jack Jones and gave birth to their son, Mark Paul Jones in 1954.

Shortly after Mark’s birth, he suffered a serious illness that resulted in both physical and mental limitations. Ruth worked temporary retail jobs from 1954-1968, allowing time to care for her son. With Mark’s diagnosis, Ruth got busy working with him and helping him to achieve unthinkable milestones. What an amazing team they were!

From 1968-1976 Ruth worked as a Teacher’s Aide at Central High School. Ruth was very well loved by the students and playfully referred to as Mrs. Jonesy!

From 1976-1983, Ruth worked as the Executive Director of the ARC-Upper Valley, formerly known as the Association for Retarded Citizens. She wrote many grants helping to establish group homes for handicapped residents in the community.

In 1984, Ruth was employed at Quad County Community Action Agency, where she was a Certified Self Reliance Case Manager, Project Self-Sufficiency Coordinator and HUD Comprehensive Housing Counselor.

In the late 80’s, Ruth purchased a large Victorian home on Belmont Road with the intentions of restoring it to be a bed and breakfast establishment. Ruth at the same time learned of the great need for Foster Parents in the community. Ruth realized immediately that her home would become a home of Foster children and that is exactly what she did for many years.

Ruth was an active member of her church, strongly anchored in her faith. She touched many lives, offering much wisdom and encouragement. She will always be remembered by her loving kindness and wonderful sense of humor and wit and having a huge heart for those less fortunate.

Ruth is preceded in death by her son, Mark Paul Jones; mother & step father, Mildred & Paul Thies; sister & brother in law, Donna and Melvin Leek; nephew, Thomas Leek; great nephew, Jason Bouvette; uncles, Louis, Richard, Virgil Madsen; Aunt, Esther Madsen; Grandparents, Elizzie and Albert Madsen.

Ruth is survived by her nieces, Linda (Leonard) Enninga and Debra (Melvin) Reis; nephews, Timothy Leek (Joyce) and Todd Leek; grand nieces and nephews, Kristine, Melissa, Megan, Monica, Matthew, Micheal; and extended family members, Joanne and Jenalee Bragg.

Memorials preferred to Augustana Lutheran Church or The ARC-Upper Valley.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, August 25, 2018 at Augustana Lutheran Church, 520 University Ave., Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the church.