Ruth E. (Rusche) Poppen

Ruth E. (Rusche) Poppen, 98, of the Spirit Lake Community, passed away on Thursday, June 1, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Society, De Smet, South Dakota. Memorial services will be 5pm, Monday, June 19, 2017 at the Spirit Lake Presbyterian Church, Spirit Lake, South Dakota. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Ruth E. Rusche was born the 5^th of 8 children, on a farm northeast of Bancroft, South Dakota to Henry and Ada (Haufschild) Rusche. Ruth attended rural schools and started high school in Bancroft. After the harsh times of the 1930’s forced her and her brother to quit school to help at home. Later her and her brother returned after a year absence. Ruth graduated from high school in 1936 from Bancroft High School. Ruth then attended Northern State College, Aberdeen, where she received her teaching certificate. Ruth taught two rural schools before marrying the love of her life, Edward Poppen at Lake Preston, South Dakota on May 28, 1940. The couple moved to their home near Spirit Lake in 1946. Ruth resided there for nearly 71 years. Ruth and Edward raised four children Leland, Richard, Patricia and Curtis. Her and Ed enjoyed trips for several years to Arizona. Edward passed away on April 2, 2012. Ruth was active in the Spirit Lake Presbyterian Church. She remained interested in the activities of the farm and lives of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ruth would paint, did carvings and wove treasurers for her family and friends will long enjoy. Those grateful for having shared a part of her life include her children Leland (Kathy) of Willow Lake, SD; Richard (Linda) of De Smet, SD; Patricia (R.J.) Meagher of Grand Ridge, IL; Curtis (Eva) of Denmark; her twelve grandchildren; twenty five great- grandchildren, a sister Mae Verch of Huron, SD; and a brother Allen Rusche of Perham, MN. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband Edward (2012), four brothers, a sister, two nephews, a niece and a granddaughter.

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