Our condolences and prayers go out to Mark Bortnem on the recent passing of his mother. What a truly remarkable woman. She was obviously devoted to her faith and her family, and had a passion for helping, assisting, and aiding her fellow men and women. Her unselfish love and willingness to sacrifice for others is unmatched.
Ruth A. "Ruthie" Eggebraaten Bortnem passed away on March 28, 2011 at Brookview Manor in Brookings. She was born on June 21, 1918, so she was almost 93. She had 12 siblings, and was very active at Lake Campbell Lutheran Church for her entire life. She graduated from Brookings High School in 1937. As a student, whe was involved in drama, vocal and band groups, and athletics (there was competitive girls' athetics back then; why they were done away is anybody's guess). After graduation, she was a bookkeeper and secretary for Service Grocery (I remember that store; it was sponsoring a woman's fastpitch softball team in the 50's), and a secretary for attorney B. H. Schaphorst in Brookings.
She married Harris W. Bortnem on June 21, 1939 (her birthday) at Lake Campbell Lutheran Church, and worked alongside him on their small, diversified farm near the church. They lovingly and faithfully raised three children, Eileen, Ralph, and Mark, and attended church regularly. Ruth supported her children in their church, 4-H, and school activities, encouraging creativity and perseverance. She made time to nurture a flower garden and yard and loved to cook and sew.
As often as possible over the years, she visited her adult children, grandchildren, and her extended family in South Dakota and elsewhere.
For decades Ruth diligently maintained the formal written lineage for her father's family, and she published and distributed current versions to family members. She took two trips with family to Europe, including Scandinavia from which her father's and mother's families emigrated.
After moving from the farm to Brookings, Ruth worked at Midtex where she assembled electrical relays for about eight years. She befriended SDSU foreign students and their families. Then she worked as a Senior Companion for 18 years in the Brookings-Volga area, selflessly caring for her clients until her own health began to fail at age 86.
Ruth was the secretary-treasure of her townhouse association in Brookings for about two decades. She enjoyed caring for her flowers at her home. Written history was one of special interests. She even learned how to play the guitar at an advanced age.
At the church, Ruth sang in the ladies' chorus, rang in the bell choir, taught Sunday School and was Superintendent, participated and held offices in the women's groups, and prepared and presented programs at nursing homes for many years. She carefully prepared and presented radio programs for the Christian Women's Hour on KBRK for many years. She designed and constructed many large Christian-theme banners which have been used at the church for nearly 40 years.
After suffering strokes in late 2004 and in early 2007, Ruth's conversation ability was diminished, but her current and past memories of family and events remained very solid. She made her home in assisted-living facilities in Brookings for about six years and continued to live a fulfilling life, with her supportive and loving family and friends close by her side.
She was preceded in death by her parents, twelve siblings, and her husband. She is survived by her three children: Eileen (James) Klein of Prescott, AZ; Ralph Bortnem of Kent,WA and Brookings, SD; Mark (Janet) Bortnem of of Newberg, OR. She is survived by two grandchildren in California: Eric and Julie Klein; three grandchildren in Oregon: Nathan (Addie) Bortnem, Grant (Megan) Bortnem, Luke Bortnem; three great-grandchildren in Oregon: Jameson and and Jackson Bortnem, and Colby Bortnem. She is survived by two sisters-in-law: Velma Eggebraaten of Oregon And Drusilla Ness of Colorado, and many nieces and nephews.
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