Ruth T. Carlson

Ruth Tungsvik Carlson was born September 30, 1917 to Lewis and Clara Tungsvik in Golva, ND. After 100 years of living, she passed away at Prairie Hills Care Center in Rapid City, SD on November 30, 2017. Her family and friends will be celebrating her life at a memorial service at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bismarck, ND, on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at 10:30 am. Ruth graduated from Beach High School in Beach, ND in 1935. After graduation she attended DSTC in Dickinson, ND where she received her standard (2 year teaching degree) in elementary education. After receiving her degree, she started teaching in one room country schoolhouses. She married Victor Carlson on June 27, 1939 and settled in Sentinel Butte, ND where Vic operated a U-Save Grocery Store for many years until they moved to Beach, ND. While in Sentinel Butte, they had four children, Lynn, Morris, Sharline, and Sonja. Ruth continued her teaching career while living in Beach with more country schoolhouses and ending with a teaching position in Sentinel Butte Elementary. She was always an active member in the Lutheran churches in Sentinel Butte and Beach. Her husband Vic died in 1981 and in 1986 she sold her house and moved to Bismarck, ND where she became active in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church as a circle member and a quilter. She also served as a volunteer in the R.S.V.P. organization. She was a competitor in the Senior Center Whist Club and when asked “How did you do this week?” she would often respond “I took first place.” First place was always $2. She will be fondly remembered for her love of dancing which she demonstrated at her 90th birthday party. At the age of 96, she left Bismarck and moved to Rapid City to be near her daughter Shar Dambowy and her husband, Bill. Four months later, her granddaughter Nicci Jansen and her husband Mike plus twin sons, Cole and Adam, moved to Rapid City also. She was visited many times by her children and grandchildren while living in Rapid City and she always had that youthful spark when she talked to her great-grandchildren. Ruth is survived by her son Lynn (Marilyn) of Escondido, CA; daughter Shar (Bill) Dambowy, Rapid City, SD; daughter Sony (Greg) Pavlish, Wichita, KS; nine grandchildren, Michelle (John) Rupsic, Angela Carlson, Jeff (Cierra) Carlson, Brooke (Paul) Bianchi, Nicci (Mike) Jansen, Paul (Nicki) Dambowy, Anne (Jim) Roslansky, Joan (Mark) Denlinger, and Katie (Rob) Mitchell. She has 17 great-grandchildren, Anthony and Bella Vercelli, Beckett and Kennedy Carlson, Olivia and Chloe Bianchi, Brennan and Lola Dambowy, Adam, Cole, and Kendall Jansen, Sam and Elena Roslansky, Mary, Luke and Levi Denlinger, and Victor Mitchell (Born on Ruth’s 100th Birthday). Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Clara Tungsvik; husband, Vic; her son, Morris; her great-granddaughter, Kendall Ruth; two brothers Orville and Floyd Tungsvik; one sister, Cora Gunderson, plus many friends. Ruth lived a life to be admired and exemplified. She loved the Lord and served Him faithfully. She will be celebrating the best Christmas ever in 2017 with her Savior.