Ruth Speidel

Ruth Speidel, 96, Bismarck, passed away Monday, December 30, 2024 at Missouri Slope Care Center.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Faith Lutheran Church, 1402 E. Ave C., Bismarck. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5-7:00 PM at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E. Divide Ave, Bismarck, with a prayer service starting at 7:00 PM.

She was born on March 15, 1928 in McIntosh County, the daughter of Andrew and Magdalena (Martel) Thurn. She met Marvin Speidel and they married on October 24, 1948 at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Zeeland. She and Marvin spent six years farming. In 1954, they moved to Bismarck, where they purchased three Texaco service stations. Many memories were made as Ruth pumped gas, while Marvin performed full service on vehicles. As self-service pumps became popular, they left the gas station business. Ruth found a passion selling Tupperware and made a successful 10-year career, doing parties all over North Dakota and South Dakota. Just like everything in life, when she decided to do something, she was going to do it right and do it the best and she did!

She eventually went to work in food service for Bismarck Public Schools and spent time at both Century and Bismarck High Schools, retiring at the age of 80.

Her hobbies included embroidery, quilting and canning. She and Marvin were also avid Pinochle players, playing with a group of friends whenever they could. They also enjoyed vacationing and once won a boat in a raffle, which they enjoyed taking the grandkids boating. She loved fishing and fishing with the grandchildren was something she could do all day. 

In retirement, Ruth was a wonderful homemaker. Food was her love language and she always made sure nobody left the table or the house hungry, often sneaking morsels of banana bread or cookies into pockets during a hug. She loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Linda Reinicke, Bismarck, and Larry Speidel, Bismarck; her grandchildren, Scott Reinicke, Bismarck, Jeremy (Jen) Reinicke, Missoula, Mont., Chris Reinicke, Bismarck, Justin Reinicke, Hilo, Hawaii, and Nathan Speidel, Bismarck; great-grandchildren, Braylee and Lexie Reinicke, Burlington, Abbey and Katie Reinicke, Missoula, Mont., Jaden, Kyler and Ella Reinicke, Bismarck, and Gage, Aurora and Akira Speidel, Bismarck; sister, Frieda Ketterling, Wishek, along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Marvin; parents, Andrew and Magdalena and her brother, Elmer Thurn.