Ruth E McNamara

Ruth E. McNamara, 86, of Mankato, died Sunday, November 19, 2006 at Mankato Lutheran Home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 2:30 p.m. Friday at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church with Rev. John Wilmot officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Madelia. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Landkamer-Johnson-Boman Funeral Home with a 4 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will continue from 1-2 p.m. Friday at Landkamer-Johnson-Boman Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Alzheimers Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Association, American Cancer Society, Diabetes Association, or to an organization of the donors choice.

Ruth E. McNamara was born June 12, 1920 in Tracy to John Jack and Sophie (Tedemonson) Reynolds. She was orphaned at the age of 14 months and was adopted by Willhelm A. and Emma C. (Furan) Nelson. She attended Lake Crystal High School, Community College in Emmetsburg, IA and Union Hospital Nurses Training. On September 15, 1936, she was united in marriage to Ralph McNamara in Madelia. Ruth worked as an RN for Immanuel-St. Josephs Hospital in Mankato, Union Hospital in New Ulm and worked with Home Health Care Programs. She was also a homemaker for her family.

Ruth was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. She enjoyed sewing, music, gardening, genealogy and her family.

Ruth is survived by her four children, Sue (James) Bruss of Hanska, Margaret Tebben of Willmar, Thomas (Ruth) McNamara of Mankato, William McNamara and Shirley Weimeran of Mankato; 20 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Jean Koehly of Brighton, CO; sister-in-law, Elaine Nelson Ebsen of Milbank, SD; brother-in-law, John Jack Heelan of North Mankato; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph; three daughters, infant Josephine, Louise Marie Lawrence, Michealla McNamara; son, Patrick McNamara; grandson, Mathew Lawrence; and brother, Waldemar Nelson.