Ruth Shipman
Ruth Irene Shipman, 97, of Bismarck, N.D., passed away July 18, 2015, at Sanford Health off Sunset in Mandan, N.D.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 24, at the Bismarck Funeral Home with Rev. Scott Bauman officiating. Burial will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, at the Bismarck Funeral Home.
Ruth was born Oct. 7, 1917, in Winner, S.D. She was the daughter of Clyde and Mary Sargent, and grew up on the family farm along with six siblings during the Depression years. Upon graduation from Winner High School she immediately began working with ledgers and balance sheets; a knack for numbers she would carry throughout her life.
She married Delbert Shipman on Sept. 7, 1941, and then followed her husband to North Carolina where he was stationed with the Army.
Following his discharge and return from Europe, Ruth devoted her life to raising a family that included her involvement in Cub Scouts, PTA, sports, and every aspect of being the mother of four boys.
When the family moved to Watford City, N.D., in 1960 to take over the operation of the McKenzie County Farmer newspaper, Ruth took on the additional task of managing all the bookkeeping of that enterprise. Ruth spent many years in the role of Secretary/Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the newspaper as well. This blend of family and accounting continued until 1984 when Del and Ruth retired and began splitting their time between North Dakota and Mesa, Ariz.
In 2004 Ruth moved to Bismarck, N.D., where she continued traveling, golfing, and was involved with many card groups, and caring for her beautiful flower garden. She was also a member of Charity Lutheran Church in Bismarck.
Ruth was an avid golfer and loved playing cards.
Ruth is survived by her sons, Cale and wife, Marcia, of Rutland, Vt.; Neal and wife, Lisa, of Watford City, N.D.; Dale and wife, Lynn, of Kansas City, Mo.; and Glen and wife, Deborah, of Bismarck, N.D. She was blessed with five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, three brothers and two sisters.
Go to www.bismarckfuneralhome.com to sign the online guestbook or to share memories with the family.