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Ruth Gudim Wold

February 11, 1918 - December 13, 2017

Ruth Clarinda Jennette Gudim Wold was born on February 11, 1918, in Fargo, North Dakota, the oldest daughter of Albert and Margit (Lee) Gudim. She graduated from Newfolden High School in 1936, and from Augsburg College in 1941, with a major in history and a minor in physical education. She taught history and biology – later becoming a substitute teacher.

When Ruth was only seven years old, she prayed, “Dear Jesus, I love you so much and want to serve you always.” It was a prayer of deep commitment for such a little one and God honored that request when a young man named Palmer Wold, who felt God’s call to become a pastor, came into her life. On August 24, 1941, they were married and together they ministered in eight parishes between 1943 and 1994: Westby (five churches), MT; Badger, IA; Appleton (Zion), MN; Crystal (St. James), MN; Sioux City (Morningside), IA; Charles City (St. John), IA; Fort Dodge (St. Olaf), IA; and Renwick (St. Paul and Lake), IA. They were blessed with five children, ten grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild during their sixty- three years together.

Ruth loved the parish ministry and eagerly shared the good news of God’s love through His Son Jesus. She found herself busy writing and leading Bible studies, directing plays, compiling the devotional book The Silver Lamp from her husband’s writings, calling on shut ins, and opening her home to all who needed a friend. She loved family and was instrumental in creating many heritage books and was ecstatic when she was able to visit relatives in Norway. Another highlight in her life was her trip to Israel and the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of her Lord and Savior.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Palmer, her parents, two sisters (Dorothy and Clara), and one brother (Alton). She is survived by her children – Eunice Wold (Karl) of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota; Philip Wold (Jane)of Mankato, Minnesota; Miriam Pedersen (Keith) of Ankeny, Iowa; Deborah Trefz (Rocky) of Sebastopol, California, James Wold (Karen) of Hickory, North Carolina; and her grandchildren – Becky Pearson (Ken), Tim Pearson (AmyAnn), Andy Wold (Amy), Rachel Helget (Doug), Heather Pedersen, Marc Pedersen (Anne-Michelle), Kirsti Trefz, Christy Wold, Karl Wold, and Susie Wold; and great-grandchildren – (Jack, Grace, Ellen, Adam, Alexander, Katherine, Derek, Steven, Allison, Jenna, Matthew, and Janae); and great-great-grandchild Noel; and sister Eleonore Nelson of Belmond, Iowa.

Services will be held 4:00 pm., Wednesday, December 27, 2017, at Memorial Services of Iowa Funeral Home in Ankeny, Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd). Visitation will be held one hour prior the service on Wednesday, also at the funeral home. Committal will be at the Zion Lutheran Church cemetery in Trail, MN. Memorials may be given to the Pastor Palmer and Ruth Wold Scholarship Fund of the Waldorf Foundation at Waldorf University, Forest City, Iowa or donor’s choice.